[PaQSO] Hello From California

[Ward Willats]

I am a new ham, got my General in June and my Extra a week or so ago 
(heck, I guess they'll give those to practically _anyone_ these 
days!) and I was tuning 20 meters on Saturday when I heard W3FRC. I 
worked them so I could get a swell QSL card, but after spending the 
previous weekend doing the California QSO Party, I didn't have any 
intention of working another contest and making my XYL mad! :-)

Then I read the web page, and thought, well, maybe just a few QSOs... 
Downloaded the logging software "just to see" --- well, you can guess 
the rest!

Anyway, I made a whopping 32 QSOs in 20 counties at 80-100 watts with 
my old Kenwood 520S and an 80 meter windom up 35 feet. Mostly on 20 
meters on Saturday and 15 meters on Sunday in 4-5 total hours of 
casual operating. Wound up with a little over 1,000 points. Had a 
great time, and will send in the log tomorrow.

Thanks to all the friendly folks in PA with decent antennas that 
could "make the path" for me, and even a couple of mobiles who put up 
with the multiple slow, phonetic repeats of my very long contest 
unfriendly call through the noise until we completed the exchange. 
You were great.

Now I need to be extra nice to the missus. Maybe she'll let me have a 
beam in time for next year!

73,

-- Ward  KG6HAF
SCV, California