GD5BTU 1978 Isle of Man
Operator: Frank Donovan W3LPL
Yes indeed GD5BTU brings back
many strong memories!
Just before a six week business trip to England in 1976, I was
listening on 20 meter SSB and heard a booming
strong signal from GD3KGC, a ham I had never heard
before. During an idle weekend in September, I made a
trip to IOM to try to locate his QTH. I simply rang
Bob's doorbell and introduced myself as I've
done several times around the world when discovering a ham
antenna. I've never been turned away.
Later that day, Bob invited me back for the contest weekend.
I arrived on Thursday morning before the contest and we
spent much of the day successfully rebuilding his 2 element
HyGain quad.
Unknown to me, Bob had arranged a party at his QTH on
Friday night for me. I had too much to drink, not a good way to
begin the 1976 CQWW SSB! At about 5 am Sunday I needed a few
hours of sleep in the very comfortable bed in the same
room where I was operating. Too comfortable... At
about 11 a.m. I woke up with a start after missing most of
the early high band openings to Asia. Bob mentioned how he didn't
wake me because I was sleeping so soundly!
That QSL is from my return trip in 1978 for a visit with Bob and
his wife for a few days.
Thanks for the memories!
73, Frank W3LPL
QSL from the estate of K2CHN,
W0QFD, W7UYE, K6TZX, W6JD
Info courtesy of W3LPL