[GreenKeys] beyond exhilarating!

[eugene at hertzmail.com]

ZCZCZC

Just a note to tell everyone what an incredibly exciting thing that just
happened to me! After many years of a) passing ham exams b) getting a
station set up c) acquiring teletype machines and learning to connect
them up, d) getting a station set up, e) fixing transmitters, receivers
and ST6's, f) getting an antenna up, g) getting a station set up (yes I
said that 3 times-it took forever!)...

I had my very first DX QSO today! It was on 20m and the band was as
quiet as can be. I waited for probably 20 minutes while I tried to tune
everything up (not simple using a vintage station as I do) waiting for
this one fellow, for the time to be just right. I also took the time to
set up a short tape with "his call DE W2HX" so I could send it out
without fumbling his call-which is no simple task on a model 28! 

I heard him finish a qso with someone and he began calling CQ. So there
it was, the right time. I threw the switch that keys the transmitter, TR
relay and put the ST6 in standby.  I heard my carrier through my
receiver. The tape was ready in the reader. I moved the reader switch
from STOP to RUN and there it was, my answer was going out onto the
either.  Would be it heard by anyone? Sure enough! The first time! W2HX
W2HX DE SV3DCX! I couldn't believe it! GREECE!! 

I can't tell you how exciting it was! Of course most of you on this list
know the excitement of your first dx contact using a teletype machine
and don't need to be told by a whipper-snapper like me. The QSO was a
quickie as I guess other folks probably wanted in on the fun, but at
least I got off that I was using a teletype model 28! 

Just a thanks to everyone on this and other lists over the years who
have helped me figure out how to make all this stuff work, answered all
my silly questions and help me get on the air. 

Boy, what fun! Ok, back to my Sunday chores :-( 
73 Eugene, W2HX

NNNN