[PVRCNC] New Contesters....

[Kent Winrich]

Some of you may know that I do broadcast engineering for the Army on Ft Bragg.

I had a conversation with a soldier that just came back from Iraq, and
he is a HAM!  He will be heading back to YI land in about a month or
so.  He is setting up a station in Bahgdad and even has a YI9 call
(which of course escapes me right now).

I am working on getting him fired up on as many bands as possible,
then he will transfer the equipment and knowledge over to the locals
and any other hams that arrive.

He is also going to be working on getting the soldiers under him to
all obtain their licenses (!!).  He will be ensuring that they know
code as well (!!!!).  My job is to now turn them into contesters and
see how we can make the YI locals more active during contests.

I offered him as much help as I can give, either in the hardware area
or support of any kind.  It appears that there have been a lot of
generous companies that have helped out in the hardware area, but
perhaps we can help out in software and other types of support
including encouragement to get on the air.

Any suggestions you all may have on how we can encourage them to
participate would be greatly appreciated.  We have an opportunity to
turn some of these guys (and gals) onto contesting as they will become
hams in the near future.. and we may have more access to YI in future
contests.

Kent Winrich, K9EZ
Fuquay-Varina, NC