07/01/2006 | K7UM As a fresh General class licensee, I participated in my first FD with HF access. I participated with the Utah DX Association (a recently resurrected DX/contesting club). We operated from about 9500' in the Uinta Mountains of UT. I personally experienced 2 highlights of the weekend: (1) After we put up a 3-element SteppIR on a portable crankup tower, I worked my first DX contacts Friday night. I worked stations in Russia, Ukraine, Italy, Germany (several special event stations), Finland, Belgium and some others. I experienced first hand what Joel Harrison calls "the thrill of Amateur Radio." I am hooked and plan to upgrade to Extra ASAP; and (2) I experienced the thrill of establishing a run freguency several times during the contest. With help from those more experienced, I learned how to manage a mini-pileup. I went to bed early Sat. because I was scheduled to operate early Sunday AM. I got up at 4 AM and relieved Lynn, K7XV at the phone station. What fun!! The operators on the air at that time of morning were very gentle with the newbie. Later that day I was able to return the favor when I talked to several operators who were obviously being coached (I could hear the coach's whispers to the operators). I modified my pace to match theirs. As a club we had a full weekend of radio operation, equipment setup and teardown, excellent Dutch oven dinner, association with one another and the knowledge that we gave it our all and had a great time doing it. Thanks for listening, Mac, K7LMM. PS I worked S9SS during the contest. Thanks again. -- K7LMM