My 1000 th QSO in 2 Years

Although I've been a Ham for a little over 15 years now, I wasn't "radio active" until I retired from the Paint store a few years ago. I've lived in apartment buildings most of my life, and setting up anything "permanent" has been a real problem. Most of those early years, I set up using a random wire, or "bungee corded" my antenna to an outside "stair" railing, on the weekends, when I had the time to operate.

Many times, I set it up and took it down within a few hours.

My log book didn't start (earnestly) until 2009 and I'm happy to say that I worked my 1000 th station yesterday. It was a casual QSO on 40 meters, and I didn't realize the number "1000" until I looked at the "categories" in the log book. I've worked a few contests...., but most of my QSO's have been actual "chats", with some of them being over an hour long. (It's not unusual for me to talk at least half and hour.)

I've used the Microsoft Outlook program as my log book and , for my needs, like it very much. I've created a number of "categories", so I can tell at a glance, who I've talked to, brief notes, countries, states, clubs and the years I've made the contacts. It's full of useful information, which I can sort in a number of different ways.

To date, I've now worked : 1004 contacts (99% CW), 369 FISTS members, 207 NAQCC members, 230 QRP stations, and 285 SKCC members.

But my most surprising log entries have been the DX contacts this year. Total is 71,  but of those, 37 have been this year.

Yes...the bands are finally picking up!

The winning station (# 1000) was KC9KOJ in McHenery Illinois.

OH3RM FINLAND

Been out riding the bike most of the day but tuned into 20 meters again this evening. I heard Marckus (OH3RM) calling CQ DX but he stopped, and in the clear space, I sent out my CQ. It's difficult for me to copy a DX station at around 25 wpm, but he immediately matched my speed and we exchanged the basics.

At about 17 wpm, I copied that he preferred the buro for QSL'ing. I said OK and he acknowledged my QRP status and wished me the best.

There's still plenty of sunshine this afternoon. I've had my DX fix for the day, so out again on the bike for more city riding before sunset.

Picture of the bike to come later:

SQ8MZW Poland

Without a doubt, (SQ8MZW)  the most difficult QSO I've made in a long time....but worth every minute of it! I listened carefully as he finished up another QSO and then sent my call sign.

This guy deserves an extra bonus for working this QRP station!

We must have sent  a dozen repetitions before we both copied each others names, states and rigs. I really have to give credit where due for pulling my weak signal out of the air! My signal 339.....
I really don't know how he did it!

A few minutes earlier I heard CO2KK in Habana Cuba but still couldn't work him no matter how hard I tried.

F5NBX Neuzac France

An absolutely astounding signal....... again! 

Worked him twice this month. 

EA6UN Balearic Islands Spain

I  found a good path into Europe again. Jurek (EA6UN) gave me a 579 report from the Balearic Islands (off the eastern coast of Spain). I remember this area from my long voyages when I was in the Navy. Sailing through the passage between the Rock of Gibraltar  and the coast of Africa was always windy and the seas were always ruff. I can still remember the sting on my face, and the grit in my teeth, from the blowing sand in Africa.

I worked this same station a few years ago. It was good to hear him again. He made a short comment about my 5 watt QRP signal. Very complimentary.....

France F6HKA

I'd been listening to the SSB portion of 20 meters again this afternoon and was hearing several Italian and English stations. I knew they weren't loud enough for me to work them. But it did tell me the band was again open to Europe.

When I went to CW mode, I immediately heard F6HKA calling CQ WES from France. I knew the call sounded familiar, and sure enough, I worked Bert back in February of this year.

I find it a little eerie when a DX station returns my call and says GE John......

Of course, this is a fantastic shack. (I keep my computer in another room so usually don't have the info pulled up on the screen)  Hihi

We exchanged SKCC #'s. Bert is also a Fists member.

He was my 37th DX contact back in November. Today he is # 67....hey, thats about 30 contacts later in 60 days?????

Yeehhh...........I'm proud of that!

S53IV Slovenia

My second DX contact this afternoon (S53IV) waiting out the thunderstorms. The sky got so black that the street lights lit up. I'll replace this card also with an e-qsl when it arrives. Yes.....the sun is still hot this afternoon.  (in more ways than one). Tomorrow the temperature is supposed to reach 85 degrees.

This is also my second contact in Slovenia. My first was OM3RM.

He was also surprised when I mentioned my QRP 10 watt power and an 18" antenna.