[ADXA] Surprise DX on 80m Sunday Night

[WB5JJJ]

Chatting on the HamShack Hotline phone with John (WB5BHS), when out of the
blue, JTAlert announces "Wanted DXCC".  So, I'm on 80m FT8 and figured it
was just some Caribbean island.  I was not in a hurry to check it out, but
it was announced again, so I figured I might as well get another new one.

It was an island alright, North Cook Island in the South Pacific. He was
-12 and he gave me a -13. There were no repeats, it was 2 exchanges and
done. My 110w to an EFHW worked out again. The old "fish in a barrel" scenario.
At least it was radiated RF point to point with no wires (or Internet) in
between. He only worked 2 other stations after me that I saw. Quick opening
to down under.  PSKReporter was showing NO stations receiving my CQ calls
outside the lower 48 except for a couple Canadian's, a Mexico or two and
some northern South Americans.  Nothing to EU or Africa at this time.
Still over 75 receptors though.

He doesn't do LoTW or any other online service, but only needs $3.00 for a
mail QSL on the "next" boat leaving the island. He now has my $3.00. The
wait begins.  Another one to add to my Card Checker group for sometime in
the future.

He emailed me a bit later and said it should go out next weekend and would
include a QSL for a contact back in 2012 as well.  I already have LoTW
Verification from North Cook, but this one is for 80m specifically.  I'm at
62 on 80m so far.  Still need a bunch of 6m and 93 on 160m.  Didn't have a
"decent" 160m EFHW wire till last spring, but my QRM/QRN is typically +25db
most nights, so it's pretty much a no go.

73's
George - WB5JJJ


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