[ADXA] D60AB on 30m

[Jay Bromley]

Hi Guys,

This isn’t a current spot unless Don’s power comes back on.  I have worked Don Jones aka FH/K6ZO and D60AB a few times in the last month.  Tonight I left the receiver on 30m digital hoping to snag a new one, but couldn’t keep my eyes open feel asleep in the command chair.  A bit later I came back in the shack to have a look at the screen and down in the bandmap I spot D60AB on CW.  Nice!!!!  The Bandmap informed me he was working NA including us mid-lander folks, hi.  A new one for me on that band and mode.  He was sending CQ and UP so I went up 1KHz and dropped my callsign in.  Then Don went agn?  After sending my call twice, I hear W5, then QSB fadeout into the noise, then add all the QRM not listening to what UP means was now on top of him.  So the contact was very tough which makes very nice DX memories.  So I IDed my call a bunch of times along with my report to be sure my call was correct in his log.  However Don seems to get the call correct no matter the QRM or how WEAK I am, LOL.  I have always marveled at how some ops get it right even when your tone is just modulated noise.  

 

I decided to drop Don an email thanking him for several Q’s this month and last year. (Thanks K5DB Don for that idea!).  Also to inquire why he left the air so suddenly?  After hitting send button to Don, I then open up my emails and was shocked to see at the top of the unread list was an email from Don!  As far as I know we have never email or meet in person before?  Below is what he said.

 

The Subject said:  Good Contact and then in the body Don wrote >>>>Electricity went off 😄

 

This really made my night.  Not for just the short QSO, but taking the time out just to let me know I am “IN THE LOG”.  What a nice guy and shame he left with others calling him!  

 

Why the above story?  While attending the local Ozark Wireless Society meeting today, a comment was made that 70-80% of ham radio operation is now on FT8 or digital modes.  That lead to a huge discussion on digital vs. other modes.  One of my comments jokingly was: “that is great because many times I will look up/down the band from the digital frequency and if I see something interesting, I can jump on it.  In short I don’t have the competition like I use to on CW/SSB or so it seems.  So while guys are having fun with FT8, don’t assume there is not a new one to be had calling CQ on another mode and not getting much action.  As you guys know I do use a ton FT8 a lot here.  I like to run DX stations on that mode, but I am also scanning the bands for new stuff that may or may NOT be on the cluster may or may NOT be on digital.  What fun!  Not sure why I am telling all this as I don’t want the competition to come back!  😊  Stay on FT8 young men!!!  

 

Last Sunday was a great example of the above!  K5UR was on 12m chasing this same Don Jones as FH/K6ZO on CW.  There were a ton of stations on 12m FT8 that day, I was monitoring all that, but then I noticed something down the band in the spectrum scope.  I didn’t see the call on the band map so I went down to have a closer look.  Put on the headphones and started tuning up the band.  That’s when I heard Rick worked them.  Then it was my turn.  I love being in the chase with my fellow ADXA members, but if I can work them before the BIG Guns what a thrill that adds to the QSO!  Still it was super cool to add a new band/mode right after Mr Big Gun K5UR.  I am sure Rick didn’t need that one for a new anything!  Still it was so nice to still see Rick chasing DX on CW!  

 

I get the same thrill when I see ADXA folks across the state in the pile, like the Russellville and Fort Smith Guys no matter the mode.  This never gets old, just gets better over time!!!

 

73 de w5jay/jay..

 

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