[TenTec] YACWD and real CW ops

[Scott / W4PJ]

----- Original Message ----- > Even to this day I recall the shock
experienced as a Novice when my pitiful
> 7 or 8 WPM CQ was answered flawlessly by a guy with a 1x2 callsign.


I remember working on 40m down in the most hostile neighborhood of all the
ham bands.  Banging away a CQ on a home made straight key at about 10wpm.
[BTW trying to work among those broadcast stations is the best motivation to
upgrade I can think of.]

I get a call back from a JY1

So I send JY1?

RR JY1 JY1 BK

So I send JY1?  JY1?

RR JY1 JY1 JY1 name H U G H   H U G H  BK

I thought that was a very strange call sign and didn't realize till years
later who I worked that night.

Unfortunately I never requested a QSL card and wasn't knowledgable as a
DXer.  Later asked Mary Ann if she had the logs for those years, but alas,
no good.  I remember he said GOOD FIST.  I got alot of compliments like that
because I practiced alot and recorded myself and listened to my sending.  My
elmer made it a point of how important it was to have a good fist,
especially if you want to have people willing to QSO with you.  <G>

I did later work His Royal Highness on phone and have the card for that QSO
but it just goes to show how much HUGH loved the hobby and how far he was
willing to go to make a stateside novice's day. [or night]

PEACE
Scott