My First HF QSO

Eric Stover KØEWS

Today, taking materials to our recycling center after a recent move, I was going through the “shred box.” This is our box of bank statements; bills, etc. accumulated after all those years. For some reason, we had them tucked away and hadn't disposed of them just yet. Anyway, off to the recycling center and the shredder they went. Just as I was about to throw a pile of bills in the shredder, I saw something. On the back of one of those old insurance statements was the transcript of that first HF QSO. It took me back 7 years…

I already had a 2 meter rig, and that was fun enough, but HF was where the real interest was. After months of planning, saving, and scraping things together, I was finally on HF. My first rig was QRP, as it had a low cost, and there were no problems with RF. I strung a dipole inside my garage once I got the rig, just to see what would happen. In retrospect, being at the top of the sunspot cycle helped… a lot.

First I listened, and was amazed at what I could hear. I just thought the idea of someone in New York talking to someone in California and me hearing it through a piece of wire, inside nonetheless, was amazing. Then, one night, after working up the courage, I called CQ. Imagine my shock when I got an answer. At first my nerves took over and I froze. I then realized that this guy was sending code to ME, so I'd better start writing some things down. I grabbed the nearest thing to me on that table; it was a recent insurance statement. My little puny 5 watts indoor signal was heard all the way down in New Mexico by W5WM. I wrote down his call, his name, the RST, and all the other information. We had a very nice little chat, albeit a little short, but a chat nonetheless, on CW, and QRP. What an accomplishment, I thought! I had cracked that mysterious code, and though nobody was speaking, another person and myself exchanged thoughts and greetings a half a country away. Nothing but dots, dashes, static and the ether between us, and yet, though it all, I'd made an acquaintance. The magic of radio somehow took that night and I was hooked. I got a QSL card a few days later, confirming everything that I thought I'd done, and that made my day.

I didn't have to know code that well to get my license, after all it was only a 5 wpm requirement. I was in that new crop of 5 WPM General class licensees in that summer of 2000. However, after some hesitation, I did take to the code, and I decided to use it, and I'm glad I did. I have since picked up better rigs, better antennas, tried most all of the modes, done contesting, dxing, rag chewing, home brewing, and most of the things associated with ham radio. I enjoy all the modes and each one of them has its own uniqueness about it, and they all have value. For me, however, I'm glad that my first HF QSO was on CW, and glad it was QRP. I still use QRP today sometimes (although here in the solar minimum it's a bit tougher,) and CW is my favorite mode.

I'm glad I found that scrap of paper today. I brought it home with me, and I think I'll have it mounted. It shows all of the nervously written letters, the incomplete copy of some of the words, and it takes me back to how I felt. Sometimes, to know where you are heading, it helps to be reminded of where you've been.