First QSO in 20+ Years!

[WA2OLZ]

OK - I'm back yet again  I keep getting interested in other things but always return.

I picked up a used Kenwood TS-480 a couple of years back - never even powered it up. This afternoon I put up a W5GI Mystery Antenna about 40 feet up between trees. Fired up the rig on 20 and got an immediate reply and 5X9+ from southern Italy. I can't get the antenna to load on 40 or 80, tried 12 and one call cut through the pileup and nailed Cook Island with another 5X9+. I'm psyched!  My last HF rig was a TS-930 with a TL-922 amp and 3-element beam. I expected results from that but am amazed by 100 watts and a wire antenna. 

I'll eventually figure out why the lower frequencies won't load but, for now, it's great to be back on the air.

73/
Jack
WA2OLZ

[K7KB]

Welcome back I finally got back into the hobby again a little over a year ago after almost 25 years and was bitten by the DX bug again. Now I have a 3-element SteppIR up 72 feet on a US Tower TX-472 and enjoying the beam. I plan on sticking with it this time and hope you will be around the bands for awhile as well.

73's & Gud DX!

John K7KB

[WB4SPT]

My first 15m contacts were done this week.  With 80 watt out, I worked Scotland, England, Slovenia, IL, and Oregon.  It's really a blast!  120ft wire antenna is all I have right now.