He is light on my hexbeam, but I can hear him through the flutter. The beam heading is about 345 degrees. He's working French stations. The Acom is warm and ready. He finishes working the French station. I call. He picks up a Foxtrot Cinque. They exchange reports. I call again . . . silence. And then, after about five seconds . . . "Echo India Two Kilo Charlie Five and Nine"!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Roger roger, thank you, you are five and five. Thank you for a brand new country".
"No problem. Seventy Three. Fox Whisky Five Juliet Juliet....."
What a fantastic week it's been for DX, and a tough challenge to get them into the log. 5J0R San Andres was relatively easy as #296, worked first on November 2nd and on another 14 slots since then. On the same day, I managed to nab K9W on Wake Island beaming over the pole at around 7.10pm. It was a lucky break. They didn't have a pile-up and I got through fairly easily. But I have failed to get another slot since then! T33A Banaba was DXCC #298 last Friday evening just before 7.30pm local time on a skew path of about 250 degrees. They logged me as EA2KC. I'm sure they'll correct it, but I wouldn't mind an insurance QSO just to be safe. Last night at 5.43pm local time I bagged Juan Fernandez (Robinson Crusoe Island) on 10 metres CW for #299. And this morning, I have made the #300 mark.
Just over four years into the hobby and I have worked 300 of the 340 current entities. Just 40 to go. That might sound easy, but the DXers know the last 40 are the toughest, because they're usually the rarest. So I can't imagine I will be bragging about #340 any time soon!
But that's not to say I won't enjoy the challenge of trying to work them all . . .
Well done TWO KILO CHARLIE! Congratulations Tony. 73 9KC
ReplyDeleteThanks Ark. That means a lot. You will be having the same celebration very very soon, I have no doubt!!!
DeleteEI9KC de EI2KC 73 !!
Well done Anthony,300's a big milestone,some Ops don't even approach this in their Radio lifetime!!T33A should be happy to correct heir log,I had the same problem with XZ1Z when they logged me as MI0GGG,even though they sent my call correctly in the QSO,just a typo.73 de MI0GRG
ReplyDeleteThanks Mick. I reckon they will correct my call alright, so I'm not that worried about it. It would be nice to make an insurance QSO just in case, but if not, so be it. Your example shows how easily a typo can be made in a pile-up situation. MI0GRG de EI2KC 73 TU
DeleteCongratulations Anthony, it is incredible what you achieved in a short time. And you proved it can be done in a few years with a lot of effort. It will take many years before I reach that milestone. Just 92 DXCC to go ;-) 73, Bas
ReplyDeleteThanks a million Bas. Indeed a lot can be achieved. It's as much about time as anything else, as you well know. You will work the 92 DXCC in no time !!!
DeleteWell done Anthony your doing a great job with limited space and antennas putting a lot of the bigger EI stations to shame,
ReplyDeleteYou'll have me caught and passed in no time,
Keep up the good work, c u in the pileups
73
Trevor
EI2GLB
Thanks Trevor. It's been a challenge at times but nearly always a very enjoyable one. I am working some of these contacts on the very edge of audibility. Hope you are enjoying the current crop of DX!! 73 de EI2KC
DeleteYou really are doing well there, Anthony! I started in December 2010 and have now 249 DXCC. Only 100W and wire antennas, so I am a little bit behind...or is it any good excuse? :-) This winter I am trying to get #100 on 80m with my vertical delta loop...#92 and counting!
ReplyDelete#93 on 80m! V5/DL3DXX today.
ReplyDelete