Done it!

MI0PYN

MI0PYN

Super Member
Welp, I've gone and done it.

Had my first ever on-air CW contact!

Put out a CQ on 40m, not expecting anyone to come back to me, when M0WDD replied!
Nearly had a heart attack, but scrambled to copy everything, got the callsign first try. Almost forgot what to do next, but managed to gather my wits enough to send a report and ask how he copied me.
His name was David and he's from Salford, and gave my report. There was more but I lost most of it in QSB. Went back with my name and QTH, told him about the QSB and finished off with 73s.

Short, and I didn't get all of what he sent due to QSB, but it's a contact in the log, having exchanged the important bits.

I'm thrilled to bits, but shaking like a leaf now, going to have to have a stiff whiskey to get over the shock!
Then maybe come back for another go...
 
And confirmed on QRZ.com logbook
 

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Just wondering, were you using a straight key or did you go crazy and use a paddle?

Just curious... :-*

73, and well done, Mark... :w:
 
I used the paddle asnitnwas hooked up to the radio from practicing earlier.

Next time I'll use the key, just to mix things up. I've found that while spacing is better with the paddle, errant dits and dahs creep in more easily. Inthink I make less mistakes with a key...
 
Well Done, Stefan!

Why do we get so nervous on our first radio QSOs? I'm normally a "cool, calm, collected" sort of guy so I found it annoying and distracting to be shaking like a leaf. But that's our errant minds at work, I suppose.

Anyway, those nerves will certainly wear off once you've got a few more in the bag. Thanks for sharing your success with us - it makes everyone else's day too!
 
Stefan,

Have you been on the air much since your first CW contact in July ?  It's been an unusual year, for sure :-)

Glenn AE0Q
 
Hi Glenn,

I've had a few more QSOs but not many. Work has been extremely busy and I've not had a whole lot of time to play radio unfortunately. Of course this means that the Morse has somewhat leaked out of my brain for a large part, but I've just started to listen to code at various speeds again to try and spin my brain back up again. As with most people, copying is the difficulty, sending seems to be ok...

I intend to get out more /P this year though, even if it is just slipping a QCX-mini in my pocket when going for a walk :-)

73,
Stefan MI0PYN
 
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