Topband: WAJA 160

[Dave Heil]

Bob Eldridge wrote:

> I fully agree with Bill's viewpoint, and with Tom's.
> Bob VE7BS

I find myself leaning your way, Bob.  I chased countries for years from 
Cincinnati on Top Band.  I've worked loads of new ones during the past 
6+ years from here in West Virginia but I've never gotten around to 
submitting for a 160m DXCC.

I have five or six all time new ones to submit for generic DXCC but I've 
not managed to find the time to do that either.

I've also never submitted DXCC applications from OH2, OH0, J5, 9L, A2 or 
5H and will likely never do so because of the time and expense.

I don't plan to have my DXCC totals chiseled into my headstone.

My late friend Howard Delp WA4GOF let his League membership lapse at one 
point.  He told me afterward that he knew what he'd worked and that he 
had the QSL cards.  He said that every time he worked ten new countries, 
he'd paste an S&H Green Stamp on his DXCC certificate.

I don't know whether certain certificates measure a man's operating 
prowess, technical excellence, wealth, persistence, blind luck or some 
combination of the aforementioned.  Some of us are driven.  Some aren't.

I'll get around to updating my DXCC and submitting my 160m DXCC 
application 'cuz I like the competition (and realize that I'm not at the 
top of the heap based upon any of the criteria I outlined above).

I understand that Bill is driven and that the same things don't drive 
Tom.  I've been at the other end of the pile when working both on 
Topband and know what their respective stations can do.  I know that for 
each DX QSO that either has made, there is a stalwart chap on the other 
end, fighting QRN and QRM to give them a contact.

It is my understanding that I am not eligible for any award based on the 
three or four JA's I've worked over the past couple of winters.

Finally, if I continue to draw breath long enough, I may be able to 
equal the 160m achievements of my late friend Ike Price K8IP, who lived 
across the river from me.  For those of you without the antenna farms of 
Bill or Tom, keep breathing.

Dave Heil K8MN