[PVRCNC] W1AW/4 IARU 10M SSB @ AA4NC

[Roberts, Will]

Tough conditions on 10 meters in IARU... Completely wore out an MFJ voice keyer and caused a K3 to give up in making 475 QSOs. We worked 4 Europeans, 25 South Americans, 1 VK and most every novice phone operator in 8 and 9 land. The vast majority of contacts had no clue what zone they were in or that there was even a contest going on. This is the first contest (including VHF contests) that I can remember calling CQ solid for two hours with NO replies.

The highlight of the contest was a guy who asked if we were sure that W1AW was our callsign as it didn't show up at www.QRZ.com<http://www.QRZ.com>!! We will have to find a more recognizable call in the future I guess.

Nate "Grasshoppa" N4YDU did the majority of the QSO work, banging on the E layer to the Midwest. I'm just glad that there were Shiner Bocks in the refrigerator!

Thanks to NR4M, W7IY, N4AF and many others for setting this up. I'm looking forward to further W1AW/4 operations for next years' centennial.

73,
Will AA4NC
W1AW/4 "Anyone, Anywhere - you don't have to be in the contest to call" !