> -----Original Message-----
> From: TOMK5RC@aol.com [mailto:TOMK5RC@aol.com]
>
> The point is that state QSO party sponsors can do just about
> anything with a
> motivated group of hams and the time and tenacity to keep
> pushing (a la
> K4OJ). The question becomes, WHY? As the former County Judge
> of Armadillo
> County, I can testify that it's an incredible amount of work for the
> amusement of a handful of folks. Is it worth it? Ask the sponsors.
>
No, ask the participants!
I was fortunate to participate as a mobile in the Texas Armadillo Run and as
a fixed station the year they tried to activate all USA counties. I count
both of these in my ham radio Top 20 all time operating experiences!
Doing 1800 miles and making 2100 QSOs in a weekend was a thrill. Especially
travelling a state as large and diverse as Texas. We saw forests, hills,
flat prairie, bad lands, you name it. Red dirt, brown dirt, black dirt,
rocks... And a new pile-up every 20 minutes. Thanks to K5TR for doing the
driving.
I worked almost 2100 counties (of the 3076) in 2 weekends during the 'big'
Armadillo Run in 1986. Again, it was a thrill to chase mobiles and counties
just to see how many I could work. You read about guys taking years to work
all US counties and I was trying to do it in 52 hours!
Contesting fun is what you make it. And some of the best fun comes from the
most unexpected places.
Randy, K5ZD
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