[RTTY] Thanks ARRL

[Don Hill AA5AU]

Thanks to the ARRL, Dan N1ND and Jay, WS7I, for the plaque I received
this week for 1st Place USA/VE Low Power in this year's ARRL RTTY Contest.

Dan is the contest manager and Jay had a lot to do with getting this contest going
back in 1988.  The first ARRL RTTY Roundup was held in 1989.  I can't honestly
remember what kind of gear I was running, but I do remember receiving a phone call
from Hal, WA7EGA, some months after the contest asking me for comments to put
in the QST column about the contest.  I was flattered that Hal (a big time RTTY 
contester himself) had called to ask my opinion but I had to ask him "Why me?".

He explained that I had won.  I asked him what I had won "Louisiana?, W5?".  He
said "No, Don, you won the high score overall Low Power."  Wow...

I remember that contest being so much fun that I had to participate again the next year
and the next year and the next and so on.  It became an annual ritual for me.  I planned
my whole Amateur year around this contest.  Still today, it is my favorite RTTY contest.
I've participated in all 14 ARRL RTTY Roundups.  It never gets old.

As many of you know, I've been migrating to High Power this year.  I've thought 
about what to do for next year's RTTY Roundup.  Having won Low Power for 10
years, including the last 8 in a row, I've decided to stay with Low Power for next
year's event.

My hope is not to win.  My hope is that I've offered enough help and encouragement,
in the form of my websites or reflector postings, to have someone knock me off the top.
Or at least to be able to join the fun and camaraderie of RTTY contesting.

My hope is that others will enjoy the ARRL RTTY Roundup as much as I do whether or not
we win or lose.  To be able to make that brief contact on RTTY to show that we are still
there doing what we love to do.  And to still try to win something.  Thankfully, the ARRL
recognizes those that succeed in the various states, sections and countries.  Hats off to
them for that.

Please plan on participating in next year's ARRL RTTY Roundup.  I'll be there for sure!

73, Don AA5AU
http://www.aa5au.com
http://www.geocities.com/writelog