From Ron, K5HM:
It was 0001 UTC on December 22nd as we carefully cracked the seal on the secret underground bunker. A couple of us peered out cautiously to see if there was any movement. So far, so good; no red dawn, no volcanic ash. Although everything looked normal. Though it sounded like propagation was still working we were not fully convinced.
Our newest operator Waldo, was a nice kid, long face, big ears laughed like a mule. He confessed that he’d left his cell phone in his car outside. If the big EMP didn’t happen, maybe we are all right after all. Waldo, crept outside and darted to his car, bending low to avoid possible sniper fire. Waldo had a big imagination. He picked up his cell phone and ran back to the bunker, It was time for dinner, so Waldo speed dialed the local pizza joint. The pizza guy on the other end said, “Doomsday? What’s that? You want large or jumbo?” We made it.
Like the pizza, Doomsday operations were a lot of fun. Judging from the comments of our Doomsday operators and the stations they worked, they had a blast.
In total, N0D made 2,799 contacts. We worked every state and 54 countries. At one point or another we were on every band from 2 meters to 160 and satellite. Satellite operations accounted for 142 of these. Based on the feedback from our operators, it was instant pile up every time N0D worked a band.
Doomsday awareness was cultivated by our website,
www.nowzerodays.com. Amateurs from around the world became members of the Official Doomsday Network, by registering on the web site. Registered members received a certificate along with theit official Doomsday ID number. The web site became so popular that the demand for Doomsday Certificates outstripped our ability to produce them in time for the event. All who registered on the web site will receive a certificate. We regret that we couldn’t get them all out prior to Doomsday.
N0D kicked off activities on December 15th with the launch of the Doomsday Balloon. BLT-32. To the End of the World. Trackers on the balloon were signing N0D. We didn’t quite make it that far but BLT-32 reached an altitude of 104,000 feet before the balloon burst. The package landed somewhere north of Pascagoula, Mississippi.
Satellite, HF and VHF activity commenced shortly thereafter and continued through 2359 UTC, Sunday December 22nd.
As the rarest of rare DX, volunteer N0D operators reported heavy pileups as soon as they got on the air. On Wednesday night, December 19th, with the help of John, K5LKJ, Bill WS5h and Robert, KK5TC, the BVARC Ragchew Net used N0D as the net control call sign, allowing check ins to log a contact with N0D.
Along with N0D operators, members of the Doomsday Network around the world, network got on the air themselves. Calling CQ Doomsday, using their own call sign and their Official Doomsday number, Most reported having multiple contacts and having to manage pileups of their own!
Some on the air comments evidenced their own Doomsday humor in the spirit of the event. Some of the most interesting comments were from stations that posted spots on the DX clusters:
Avoid Doomsday, leaving planet now; Use Forever Stamps for QSL; Ready for Doomsday- Maxed all my credit cards; Got my ARES GO kit ready
My thanks to all those who helped put N0D on the air.
Allen, N5AFV; Andy, W5ACM; Bill, WS5H (TDXS); John, K5IZO; John, K5LKJ; Matt, K5NGU; Frosty, K5LBU (TDXS); Nizar, K0NM; Rick, W5RH; Theresa, KE5MUX; Michael, N5TGL (KARS); Dick, KE5TGZ(TDXS); Robert, KK5TC (SETXAC); J-Mag, KD5SBI (KARS)
73,
Ron, K5HM
