Someone mentioned State QSO parties. The MDC QSO Party is coming up in August. See http://www.w3cwc.org or do a search on MDC QSO PARTY. Put on by the Antietam Radio Association in Hagerstown, MD. It's NOT a 'blood and guts' event NOR is it a full 48 hours event. It's split into two separate days - Sat and Sunday. 73 K3FT