08/08/2002 | W1AW Every so often you will hear of a new ham that made their very first contact by having a QSO with W1AW. But even more rare is the person who can claim that their very first QSO was made while OPERATING the W1AW station.

Such was the case for Field Day 2002, but for 4 newbies, not just 1.

Field Day at W1AW saw two of the newest hams at HQ take turn at the microphone and complete their first contacts with one of the most famous callsigns in the world. ARRL Chief Development Officer Mary Hobart, K1MMH, made her first-ever QSO while Dan Sayad, KB1IIP made a few mental notes. Dan followed Mary at the mike and soon made his first-ever QSO.

Attending Field Day 2002 with K1MMH were Alan Brinich and his sister Cortney Cudmore. They watched intently. After Danny completed a few QSOs both Alan and Cortney braved the ether, stepped up to the plate and knocked W1AW out of the park by completing QSOs. Alan was also interesting in CW, which he watched control operator N1ND demonstrate for a few contacts.

As a class D station, W1AW didn't qualify to have a GOTA - GET ON THE AIR - Station. So they did the next best thing - allowing "newbies" to GOTA operating the main W1AW station.

Now how's that for a rare quadruple play??? -- N1ND