[caption id="attachment_781" align="alignright" width="300"]
QSL card and envelop received from GM3YOR.[/caption]
While looking over my DXCC statistics I noticed that my log didn't match
the DX station's log as uploaded to Clublog. I double checked my log
and it looked like a good QSO but upon checking with the DX station it
was determined that I had not, in fact, made it successfully into his
log. But in grand amateur radio fashion he offered to set up a sked
with me for the following afternoon so we could work and I could get
Scotland on CW in my logs.
I had never had a scheduled QSO with someone I didn't know and was a
little uncertain if it would actually happen. We had agreed to a
frequency on 20m and I was monitoring it ten minutes before the
appointed time. Unfortunately for the both of us, the previous day I
had removed my trusty J-38 key from service and replaced it with a set
of Vibroplex paddles. Since I hadn't actually used the paddles in years
my fist left something to be desired. It was amazing that Andrew could
actually tell what I was saying in the first place!
A few minutes early I started calling him but didn't hear a response. A
few minutes later, right on time, I heard a strong signal calling me.
VOACAP had certainly predicted the propagation correctly as his signal
was registering 40 dB on my signal meter. After a quick contact on 20m
we decided to meet on 30m to give that band a try. While not as strong,
we were able to make contact there as well adding a new band for
Scotland for me.
I was quite pleased with making this contact but even more so when,
after only a few days, I received the above envelope and card in the
mail. A fast QSL with a nice card! Andrew certainly exhibits really
good amateur radio values. Thanks Andrew!