26 January 2025
I was eager to get back on 12m Sunday evening (Wake time) to see what it had in store. The past several outings were nothing less than amazing for propagation. I setup at Pirates Cove around 0630z and quickly realized I had forgot my logbook back in my room. Luckily it is only five minutes away and was back at the radio in no time. I tuned up my radio on 20W to double check the SWR was still dialed in and settled in to begin operating moments before 0700z.
First in the log was IW3IBK after my first call out. He likely strategically staged himself the last place I was at on 12m. His signal sounded great and gave me hope for a good night on the band. Next up was VK3GA also booming in, and many more stations, so I had to quickly change to operating split. The sheer volume of calls raining down on Wake was utterly amazing. Working split 5 to 10 up only worked for a little while. I was having trouble pulling out any intelligible audio that resembled an actual full call sign. Slowly but surely things worked and I began turning pages in my logbook.
Side thought — Have you ever had that feeling after spending time on a boat or after riding a roller coaster, and when you put your feet back on solid ground you can still feel the sensation from the previous activity? I have a similar feeling but in the audio realm. After I turn off the radio the kaledascope of callsigns, letters, and numbers continue to echo in my mind for a day or so after. It sounds something like this, “Echo, Bravo, Yakee, Five, Zulu, Italy, Nine, Victoria, Kilo, Seven, Quebec, Alpha, Two, Whiskey, Charlie, Tango, Nine, America, Zanzabar, Echo, One….” On and on, until I fully relax and get distracted with other activities, work, or exercise. It is a small price to pay for offering KH9 to the rest of the world.
Unlike my previous early Zulu morning attempt on 12m, things did not slow down after 0900z. The signals seemed to get stronger and clearer. Then, at 0931z, I received a ‘5 5’ signal report back from SV2JAO. That is a great signal report on any day given the complexity and distance. However, at that very moment, I realized I had failed to turn my power back up after my initial tuning of my radio. I had collected 172 QSOs running 20W the whole time. I almost dropped my mic as I fumbled with my menus to crank the power up to (a whopping) 85W. Sorry if I didn’t give you a warning before blowing out your speakers after that, hi hi. The whole situation just made me appreciate the wonders of radio that much more. Things were still going strong after that, and then the rain started at 0945z. I was under a little shelter, but the wind off of the ocean tends to push the mist of the rain under the awning, so I was forced to shut down to save my radio and paper logbook. I hope you won’t hold it against me for being a fair weather operator. Until we meet again. 73, Allen
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