Russian Stations

I will spend today at my sisters home in Parkersburg where she is preparing dinner for Easter Sunday. My father will ride with my brother and girlfriend, in their car, and Marilyn and I will drive, in our car, and meet them in town. Five people in one car is a bit too much to bear for both of us.  hihi

This morning, I'm hearing some VERY strong Russian stations and fortunately, I found, and easily worked RK3ER near Moscow. I worked Alex (RK3ER) just a few days ago, so it was good to hear him again this morning. He was pushing a 599+ signal into West Virginia today; which is a fantastic signal from 5,021 miles!  

This morning makes my 10th contact into Russia. The bands seem to have returned as the geomagnetic storms have subsided and it's good to hear those DX stations again.

I'm looking forward to the Easter Sunday family gathering in Parkersburg.

Sao Miguel Island in the Azores CT8/PA4N

There is a major Geomagnetic Storm wrecking havoc on the bands this morning. I'm, again, hearing very little on the bands. It's a tuff time for DX'ers.

But again, as luck was with me, I worked a fellow from the Netherlands (PA4N) who was transmitting from the Island of Sao Miguel in the Azores. (CT8/PA4N) 

Know as the "Green Island", it's the largest in the chain of islands in the Azores. It's worth a few minutes to "google" this place. I find it VERY beautiful and envy the operator, who by the way, was only using 100 watts of power.

I can't imagine a more scenic spot on the planet to play radio.

The poor band conditions, the last few days, has forced me to spend time on 40 meters again; and I've enjoyed some long QSO's with local stations. I'm hanging around the QRP watering holes and look forward to more long conversations on this band.

I've spent many years on this band and enjoy talking to old friends in the 200-700 mile range.

Guadeloupe Island and Day 72 of DX.

I had an early breakfast with friends this morning and "missed the window". It was nearly 5PM this afternoon when I worked Frantz (FG5FR) in Guadeloupe.

I was VERY lucky to catch this station on the air.

Today makes day 72 of working at least one DX station a day.

Sardinia Italy # 78

The trip to New York was a quick one for a surprise party for my niece who is getting married in late April. It caught her totally blindsided and was well planned. It feels good to be back home again and back on the air once more.

This morning I worked a new DX station (#78) in Sardinia Italy. (IS0GQX) Sardinia is the second largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.

The DX cluster was "down" this morning and made this contact an easy one for me.

This afternoon I made a nice contact into Moscow Russia (RK3ER) and an interesting contact into Greece.

I always like working a "Special Event Station" and found SV2013ATGM promoting the "Eighth International Alexander the Great Marathon" 

All my contacts today have, as usual, been on the 17 meter band.

HG52FC in Hungary

This morning brought me a quick contact with HG52FC in Hungary. I've worked this country twice this year, and currently, a total of nine times. This country is famous for the invention of the Rubic's Cube.

A friend is dropping by this afternoon to play a few tunes on the guitar. I'll not be on the air for several days now since I'm travelling to New York in the morning. The weather is still a bit cold with the highs expected to be in the low 40's. I'll take the guitar with me on this trip but leave the radio at home.

The Island of Grenada # 77

Another new DX country (# 77) this evening on 30 meters! I was able to work J34G on the Island of Grenada and my second catch on the same day. I will play the lottery tomorrow..... Hihi

I feel good about those southern stations in the evenings on this band.

Lativa # 76

I worked my 76th DX country this afternoon when I worked YL2BT in Lativa. It was a matter of being in the right place at the right time. Today is the first day I've been on the air since the hamfest and I'm going to be out of town for a few days.

I haven't decided if I will take the radio with me as it's going to be a short and busy trip to New York.