If you haven’t already noticed, this weekend is the ARRL International DX Contest – Phone. It began at 0000z March 1 (last night at 6:00 PM local) and will run until 2359z March 2 (5:59 PM Sunday). This is the last BIG one of the season. The next big contest will be the IARU HF World Championship in July.

This is a great opportunity for you non-CW folks to stop letting your computer make a QSO for you on FT8 and pick up a new one or a new one on phone. Do NOT call USA or VE stations. USA can only work DX and DX can only work USA & VE. The exchange is your state (59 Alpha Romeo for “AR”). The DX will send their power level, for example 59 K, 59 Kilowatt, 59 500.

I have very little interest in phone contests but may “GET IN THERE” a bit this weekend to try out the new “chair” !!

73 Joel W5ZN