Topband: 7O6T Epilogue

[k1zm at aol.com]

Hi Gang


While there is always more one could write about a trip like mine to 7O6T, it is time for me to shift focus once again to my other passion in ham radio - which is CONTESTING.


CQ WPX CW looms and I need to start directing my energies there now.


So I am going to make this my last.


In so doing I again wish to thank RA3AUU/RA9USU and K3LP for inviting me to tag along - we all should know that they were the real heroes of this successful expedition and all three literally worked their tails off at considerable expense to organize it, plan the station layout and antennas and they did one HELL of a job - you do not make 162,000+ qso's in 2 weeks with 10 guys without having a damned good plan.  Dave Collingham also did a masterful job laying out Spratly last year and had we ever made it there, I know it would have been smashing.


Rather than writing to me, may I ask that you please THANK THESE GUYS for a job well done via email - I am sure they will be grateful knowing that you appreciated their fine work - PLEASE DO THIS - it is a simple short request.  Really - I mean it - if you do nothing else today or tomorrow please jot off a few lines of thanks to these guys as they richly deserve it and the credit for what they pulled off.....


As you know, my role was last minute and a very small one compared to what the others did - I went though because I thought I might be able to help out and judging by the numbers, 160m held its own - and please remember, I had NOTHING to do with getting the station out there on the beach, erecting the antenna, running out the beverages.  Please thank R7LV/RL3FT and UA3AB for their work in OPPRESSIVE heat in order that you guys had a chance to get into the 160m log...If they had not moved the station out to that remote site, you guys would have never made it into the log - they made it possible for me to hear and be heard.


SO WHY DO WE ALL DO THIS?


I think we do it because 160m still remains the last place where you cannot buy success on your master card or visa card.  You actually have to EARN it with a good antenna system, an ability to hear down to the noise - and by taking the time to learn how to deal with a really challenging band.


We do it because it is HARD - if it were easy, we wouldn't love it so much - and I think most of us true 160m types all feel that way.


Again, I am grateful that I was able to work many of you - I apologize to those few where my errors cost you a Q - but please believe for sure that I gave it everything I had over there - and I do hope for the most part it was a WIN WIN.


Please note again - I was a very small part of this operation - and PLEASE do remember to send in a FIVER along with your qsl request - or whatever you can afford - this one cost a bundle and I know the organizers are praying that most of you guys contribute whatever you can to help defray some of the enormous costs that went into making this happen.  Please remember to contribute whatever you can - thanks!


CU this weekend in WPX - CW


GL to all and CU soon on Topband again I hope


73 JEFF  VY2ZM/K1ZM




Email:  K1ZM at aol.com