[South Florida DX Association] Triple Play Award

[Bill Dzurilla]

Congrats to Norm, W4QN, for winning ARRL Triple Play Award #118.  It only took him about a week to make all 150 of the needed contacts (all 50 states on phone, CW, and digital) and obtain confirmations via LOTW.

With just a vertical antenna, it took me longer, about 3 weeks, but yesterday I managed to complete and get #157.

The ARRL seems to have gotten this one right.  The goal was to get hams to get out of their comfort zone and try new modes, and the plan seems to be succeeding, as there is a lot of interest in this award.  My first few attempts at CW and RTTY contacts were almost comical, but now I feel comfortable working these modes, and my CW proficiency has greatly improved.

You can get most of the needed contacts in a weekend by working a major contest.  You can also pick them by going to 3.618 mhz each evening, where a Triple Play users' groups meets, or by going to http://www.obriensweb.com/sked/index.html for skeds.

73, Bill NZ5N