[Elecraft] OT: Re: Baker Island - Tnx Elecraft!

[David Olean]

I would echo the comments about the Baker/ Howland Island DXpedition and 
Elecraft. I am only on two HF bands: 160 and 10 meters. I figured that 
ten meters was a stretch, but that 160 meter CW was possible from Maine 
with a little luck. I was away from my shack for most of the operating 
period, but managed to get home on July 3rd and set my clock alarm for 
4AM on July 4th for about the last chance to work them.  When I got on 
and listened at 0800 UT I heard nothing. No KH1 and no callers either. I 
parked on 1822.5 and set my TX up 1 kHz. I heard static crashes and 
white noise for about an hour. No signals heard at all!! I was all set 
to give up, and was reading an article on the web, when, all of a 
sudden, KH7Z popped out of the noise, weak but fairly audible calling CQ 
and UP.  I was startled by how fast they peaked up from nothing and 
called them once. Imagine my surprise when they answered my first call. 
(Someone had really good ears!) I could not believe it and called them 
again. This time I was sure they heard my call and we completed the 
contact.  I just sat there in awe contemplating the fact that I had them 
in my log within one minute after they first appeared out of the noise 
on 160 meters. The contact took place right at sunrise.  I suspect that 
the KPA-1500 was working overtime on 160 M. Thanks Elecraft for the 
support of the operation, and thanks for making such a nice receiver 
that is the K3! I used diversity reception with two beverages. The TX 
antenna is a single vertical.  All I can say is WOW!

Dave K1WHS