I continue to work a few stations even when the band is SLOW on 30 meters. Osmany (CO2OQ) is in Habana, Cuba and I've worked him twice on this band now. This evening he was out there, all by himself, and we actually said hello. I sent my QRP status to him and he acknowledged my 3 watts.
I'd love to visit that country sometime and have a friend (here in the US) that once lived there. I'd love to see all those old automobiles which they refer to as "Yank Tanks". I think it would be fun to visit there and mingle with the local folks. I enjoy listening to Cuban music because of all the all the percussion sounds. I find it fascinating...
A few years ago, I almost worked CO2KK who is the host of the very popular Cuban DX Shortwave Radio Broadcast. He was on 20 meters and also QRP. Arnie (CO2KK) mentioned my on his broadcast program and I recorded it. Perhaps I can make a WAV file and place it on the blog sometime?
4 comments:
When I lived in Hollywood one of my neighbors, a Cuban gentleman, would get drunk every month or so, and play very loud Cuban son music until early in the morning. Most of the people in the neighborhood hated it, but I loved it! I'm not keen on hearing extremely loud music played by neighbors but for some reason, traditional Cuban music always sounds great, and is never annoying!
Dave
AA7EE
Hello Dave,
Yep...it's the rhythm with the percussion instruments. It seems the older I become; the less I like the bang, bang, bang of snare drums and cymbals. I don't like really loud music either.
I enjoy the Cuban music, too. When short-wave tropical band swling was popular, I was a big fan of the authentic latin-american music broadcast on those frequencies. Could find it on the internet today but it was more "exotic" listening to it through the static crashes.
17 and 20 meters stinko here!
I hadn't thought about that but you're right John - it's the percussion instruments, and the absence of snare drums and cymbals that have a lot to do with it.
A neighbor on the next street over from me has an old American car from the 50's sitting in his driveway (inoperative, I think). It has the metal hood over the windshield - looks like many of the cars in Cuba, just not in as good a shape. Every time I walk past it I think of how I'd like to visit Cuba before it is opened up and becomes Americanized.
Richard - the bands have been awful here too!
Dave
AA7EE
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