I flew home earlier in the week from Aruba and did not have a chance to unpack the luggage until Saturday morning. My Elecraft K3S and radio peripherals were also in the luggage. So, I woke up early on Saturday morning to unpack and set up the radio and computer for this CW contest. Everything was working perfectly and I was able to enjoy a relaxing late lunch with my XYL on Saturday afternoon. I started the contest on 20m and I was pleasantly surprised when my good friend AE6Y called me for QSO #1. The first 4 hours had very good rates on 20m and 40m and then suddenly the skip went long and the whole eastern half of the US seemed to disappear. I switched  to 80m, I had not planned to use this band much and did not have time to install my temporary Beverages. Luckily the band was in great condition and reasonably quiet without the receive antennas. The rates on 80m were surprisingly good and I made almost as many QSOs on 80m as I did on 40m. Nearly all of the sections called me early in the contest, even VI was easy to work when my St Croix pal K9VV called me. I luckily found VY1AAA in NT on 40m early while looking for a clear frequency and he was very easy to work.The last section that I needed was Delaware. I was sweating it out until finally on Sunday morning NW3Y in Delaware called me on 40m. It is always a wonderful feeling to get the sweep! Sunday afternoon rates got pretty slow and I was tired but I toughed it out until I ran out of op time. Conditions were good considering the lack of sunspots and I was amazed that 8% of my contacts were with stations running only 5 watts. Thanks for the QSOs. Please QSL via WD9DZV.

73,

John KK9A – W4AAA