Greetings to all!
This is my first post to the list although I have been lurking and learning for
a few years now. Lots of great information here.
I worked my first JA and G on 160 this morning. The G came early this morning
local time on western European sunrise. I could not sleep so I thought I would
check the band. I heard N7JW calling CQ around 1829 and several loud G's and
ON's calling him so I decided to call CQ on 1822 -- Keep in mind that I have
only heard Europe on 160 maybe 3 or 4 times in about 2 years. A spot went on
the cluster for K6HT on 1822 by an ON. I knew he must mean me because of the
comment "? CQ Weak". I kept calling though and finally heard G3PQA CALLING ME!
WOW. He was in the log and I was back to bed. I am not sure if I slept much
the remainder of the night because of the adrenaline.
At 12:30z, I got up and made it into the shack as I do every morning to listen
around a bit and heard someone around 1821. Not real loud at that point, but
several were working him. I soon learned as he started to peak that it was
JA1HQT and he was calling CQ without an answer. The amp had warmed up, so I
gave him a call and sure enough, my first 160m JA was in the log. He peaked
about 5 minutes before my local sunrise and then disappeared into the noise.
I had gotten a little disheartened over the past few months because I wasn't
hearing much Europe and never a JA on 160m, but stuck with it because the point
was made on the list that the last few seasons really haven't "panned out" as
they had in the past. Anyway, I felt pretty comfortable saying that I was
hooked before working the DX this morning, now I can whole-heartedly say that I
am completely addicted to 160!
Just had to share my excitement! Not a big accomplishment for a big gun
station, I am sure, but huge for me and my little "cap-gun" station.
73,
John KB5NJD
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