[VHFcontesting] Talk about bad timing .....

[k3sk at buckwalter.co]

So, there I was in the middle of hooking up my new HF rigs (FTDX-101D pre Dayton sale and I couldn't resist) when it happened.   I had power hooked up to both new rigs but couldn't go much further with the rig planned for HF thru 6 meters as I need a connector to hook up my antenna switching and SSPA.    Yaesu changed from the 8 pin DIN to a DB15 for the band data/amplifier control and I don't have one to modify my homebrew interface units.  The second rig which will be HF-6 plus the 222 transverter has the same issue except I had everything for the 222 stuff.    

I had just connected the 222MHz receive IF when I heard this loud distorted CW signal peaking S9+.    You need to understand, we don't get aurora here in southern Virginia very often. In fact, since moving here in 1996 I haven't heard it at all.  But, from my years of living in OH and PA I immediately recognized the sound.   Up until this point I had only used the power on button and the tuning knob on the new rig.  I was able to tune the signal in enough to realize I was hearing K1WHS, LOUD!   My first thought was I love this new SDR rig, then it was, I need to work him!    Where is the CW key connection?  Crap, I'm in SSB mode.  How do I put it in CW, where is the button?   The rigs not going into transmit when I close the key.  How do I adjust power out?   Where did I put the user manual?    Several minutes later Dave was still calling CQ and I was finally able to get RF to the antenna and put him in the log.

As I sit here Saturday morning, drinking my coffee, knowing 6 meters must have been crazy, I wonder why it never occurred to me to turn on the 2 meter rig?      

de K3SK