11/23/2008 | NX3P This year was my first time to participate in the November Sweepstakes in quite a few years. A couple of my local radio friends (Craig K9TEN and Richard K4XOX) thought it would be fun to get together and make a few contacts in between eating and socializing. My 9 year old daughter, Kaitlyn KJ4GPG loves any chance to get on HF and had a blast reading out the exchange. My friends called Kaitlyn our secret weapon as there would be a pile up and Kaitlyn would throw out NX3P. The seasoned contesters would say, stand by for a child and/or YL. Kaitlyn passed on the exchange and a couple of them said, you don't sound out enough to be licensed in "81". Kaitlyn said, that she is 9 years old, but can't say how old Daddy is.

We worked 67 sections and only 83 contacts and operation was on and off during about 11.5 hours. We used a Yaesu FT-450 running 100 watts into an elevated vertical antenna.

My advise to anyone was a young person around. Give up some contest points and spend some quality time with you son or daughter, grandchild, etc. You will never be more rewarded and "proud".

See you next year, although we may be using my daughter's callsign.

73 Stan NX3P -- NX3P