What at blast!  Went to both the QRP-ARCI Four Days in May Event (Thursday, Friday and Saturday), as well as the Dayton Hamvention (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) – was accompanied by Kevin KK4BFN, a relatively “new” ham (he’s been licensed 5 years, but just now getting into CW and HF big time).  Travel was uneventful, and traffic pretty light.  Weather was pretty good, except for some rain on Friday and Saturday, but not bad enough to dampen our spirits!

Got to meet lotsa folks (again!) that I work on the air regularly but have never met in person……just a few notables I can remember – Terry WAØITP (Four State QRP Group); Karen W4KRN and John N8ZYA (SKCC Group)…somehow missed my buddy Curt WA2JSG at the SKCC photo shot!   Saw bunches of calls I have worked in contests, QRP events, and other related activities.  Always nice to “put a face” with a call sign!  Got to visit with my ARRL “family” too, from HQ and in the Field.  In all, a great gathering of wonderful people.

I am happy to report, “I bought nothing big” during this trip…..some cables, a software programming kit for a radio, re-cap kits for two old boatanchors I have (for a Drake 2-C receiver and 2-NT transmitter), and some minor items.  Less than $200.00.  Yeah, I’m gettin’ better!!!

I was also able to get on the radio and work folks from OH, KY, and TN  locations – to add to my “states I have made QSOs from”.  I am up to 16 states.

Here’s some pics.

The ARRL gang at Daytona….I am 5 from the left in the back row…..yeah, just my head an a thumbs up!

Gettin’ ready to “go to work” in the ARRL Radiosport and DXCC Card Checking Booth.  I checked more cards in this trip than I could count!

The SKCC Group Photo (actually photo #2…there were so many of us they couldn’t fit us into one photo!  (I’m 3 from the right, back row).

Kevin and I also participated in the “World’s Largest Build-a-Thon” at FDIM on Thursday, with some 300 of us building a 20M CW Transmitter – with no soldering!  (Yes, it works….will put it on the bench to measure output in a few days – look for it in my, “I built this” Page).

 

Friday at the actual FDIM Build-a-Thon, we built a keyer with paddles…..very neat!  (Yes, it works!)

The Dayton 2016 Built-a-Thon PicoKeyer and paddle.

 

This will also appear in my “I built it” page.

 

We returned home safely Monday evening, worn out and happy.  Glad to be home!!!

72/73 and Safe Travels!

Steve WB4OMM