My Most Recent QSO's

Sunday, January 6, 2013

My Morning DX Contact


I continue my quest for a daily morning DX contact with QRP power. This morning I found PA4VHF on the 17 meter band. He had a great signal into West Virginia. We shook hands quickly and moved onward to other stations. Dick lives in Hengelo, the Netherlands which is very near the German border. He is 4,130 miles from me.

This is my 8th contact in this country and the second time I've worked this station. The last time was on 12 meters. I've worked the other Netherlands stations on 20 meters, 10 meters, and also 30 meters.

Every time I work a station in this part of the world I think of what a great place this is for bicycling. I've often admired it's citizens attitude towards physical fitness and recreation. I can easily imagine biking for hundreds of miles in this flat land.

Today is going to be another busy day for me. My wife Marilyn and I will attempt a hike with friends in the local forest. The forecast is for light rain and snow squalls, but little if no accumulation. I need to burn off those extra calories from the Holiday season. This evening we have neighbors coming for dinner and perhaps a Scrabble game after desert.

I've found this game a good one to keep the mind active.

Morse Code is also in that category!

With every aging year, this is a higher priority.


9 comments:

Paul Stam PAØK said...

Hi John, it is amazing how you do so well on 17 meter. I was qrv on 17m today, but I didn't hear DX so far, only stations from Europe. 73 Paul

Jspiker said...

Hello Paul,

It the Gold Dome on the state capitol building...(that's a joke)

I really don't know why; but it seems every morning, around the same time here, I get a brief opening on this band. Don't know how long it will last but glad it's holding out.

I think it has everything to do with the receiving station and those gigantic ears and great filters; of which I have neither.

I feel very fortunate to be in the right place at the right time.

PE4BAS, Bas said...

You're absolutely right about the bicycling here in the Netherlands. Most people do own a bicycle here. Sometimes even more. I go to work on my bicycle almost every day. And I'm not the only one here. 73, Bas

Jim said...

Hi John,
Sounds like your off to a good start with your morning contacts.
73,
Jim

Jspiker said...

Hello Bas,

I'm glad to hear you're riding your bike to work. There's very little incentive to ride bicycles to work here, even in this "flat" valley and there's only a few "bike lanes", and even fewer places to safely "lock your bike".

I see the trend getting better for bicycles; but we're light years behind the Netherlands on this type of transportation. I'm sure I'll be criticized for saying so, but we're the most wasteful society on earth.

Jspiker said...

Hello Jim,

I'm trying to make at least one DX contact a day. (when I can get on the air)So far I'm able to do it without any problem. I'm keeping my fingers crossed and hoping my luck holds out.

VE9KK said...

Good evening John, I was finally able to get on the radio after all my computer play after the hard drive failed. Have a nice time getting some fast DX contacts. As for the bike deal I would love to ride into work but the problem is work is about 120 mile round trip so I would have to forgo sleep!!!
Mike

Jspiker said...

Hello Mike,

Wow....that's a long commute! I just can't imagine a daily trip at those distances. I always lived within 15 miles of a job and usually 5 or 6 was normal for me. I just can't comprehend that kind of a work commute. That's about 3 hours a day isn't it?

VE9KK said...

Good morning John, on average it is about 3 hours round trip depending on the weather at times too.....you do get used to it but am looking forward to retirement when round trip is just around town.
Mike