LZ1534GWS in Bulgaria

The bands continue to puzzle me. I thought yesterday might be the last of my string on daily DX contacts. I was hearing next to nothing on the 30 meter band, or any others for that matter. I worked a "local" station on 17 meters who was running 700 watts. I think it's probably the ultimate "short band" contact, and then he disappeared into the noise within a couple of minutes.

I can't explain it, but I've always had a good path into Bulgaria. I've worked this country 12 times now. This particular "special event station" (LZ1534GWS) marks my fourth contact in this special series. This station is honoring the Bulgarian Saint Martyr Georgi Sofiskski.

Last night was no different from the other 8 weeks of back pain I've been experiencing for the last two months. I hobbled into the radio room around 1:30 am this time, and as I waited for the pain to ease up in my leg, I worked IK2DAD in Italy. I'm nearly certain that surgery is going to be my only cure for this disruptive and depressive malady. My next doctor appointment is on June 28th, when I will have a test to determine if the nerve has been permanently damaged. I also have an appointment with a physical therapist on the same day. I've pretty well accepted the fact that my hiking days are over; but I would be overjoyed if I could get back on the bicycle.

The additional contact into Bulgaria last night marks my 132nd day of working at least one DX station every day. (those are days when I'm at home here in Charleston)

As always, I particularly enjoyed adding the QRP @ 3 W in the "remarks section" of the "spot". I can't help but "crow" about the advantages knowing and using the CW mode compared to the SSB mode.

Working the "marine stations" with the SSB mode, got me less than a thousand miles. I make contacts regularly at 5,000 miles with Morse code. The difference is like night and day.