Happy New Year!!!
2013 was a good ham radio year, even with somewhat disappointing solar activity. Last year I set the following goals:
- Get 175 confirmed countries in LotW √
(Have 193 confirmed in LotW and 2 QSLs for a total of 195) - Work 225 countries √
(Worked 229 countries) - Get DXCC Digital (Completing DXCC Triple Play) √√
(Completed DXCC Digital and DXCC 10m, leaving only DXCC 80m for 5BDXCC) - Get a WAS Triple Play (CW, Phone, Digital) √√
(Completed Triple Play #936 and 10m, leaving only AK on 80m for 5BWAS) - Submit an article for publication in QST X
Not too bad, meeting 4 of 5 goals. In addition, I became a VEC, taught two technician classes bringing 22 new hams into the state. In the 34 months that I’ve been back on the air, 5,214 contacts have been added to my log, and my DXCC Challenge stands at 775. Plus I added a new satellite (AO-73) to my log.
I had a ball during Field Day, International Lighthouse Weekend, and the Scouting Jamboree on the Air. My club was incredibly gracious and recognized my efforts for 2013 with a beautiful custom made lamp (complete with beautiful Eimac 4-250 transmitting tube).
So what are the goals for 2014?
- Teach a Technician Class and General Class
- DXCC endorsement for 200+ countries
- 250 countries in my log
- 90 confirmed countries on 80 meters
- 5BWAS (getting AK on 80 meters)
- Add another 1,000 QSOs to the log
- Design a Raspberry Pi-based servo satellite tracker
Hi there OM, very nice accomplishments, congratulations. If you’re on reddit, drop by /r/amateurradio for a group of internet-savy hams who are also doing yearly goals and such.
Hey Bill,
Thanks for the tip on reddit. I haven’t gotten involved in that but my kids swear by it, so you’ve given me an excuse to get an account and explore. Here’s to a wonderful 2014.
73, Bob, WB4SON