SKCC 1000 Miles Per Watt Award @ 500mW

After looking around the net, I came across SKCC (the Straight Key Century Club) of which I joined. Over the next couple of days looking around within their group (sked page/ chat group and more), I found a bunch of VK's one night via the sked page who were on the air. Listening, I heard Collin VK2DVA calling out "CQ".

Well.. here goes.. my first time on the air in 23 years. 

So using my QRP QCX-mini I answered. My CW was a bit rusty, but after exchanging RST's (he gave me a 559 on my 5 watts) and SKCC numbers, he welcomed me to the club and before you knew it...it was over. Whew... my head was spinning.

About 30 minutes later I heard him calling CQ again to other SKCC members and I thought.. "How far can I push this tonight?" I used to do a lot of QRPp DXing 20 odd years ago. So I dialed in my Attenuator (9db) and dropped my power from 5 watts down to 500 milliwatts (QRPp) and answered him.
He came back (!) and gave me an RST of 389 !!

The next day both Collin and I applied for the 1000 MPW award. ... 2222 miles per watt.
The last QRP award I got was 34 years ago  

Its great to be back on the air
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Mark Bowdidge, VK4MFX, SKCC #26845 earns 1,000 MPW Award #185

Mark has shown his commitment to the ideals of the SKCC with the use of manual sending devices in earning the 1,000 Miles per Watt (MPW) Award #18 with a 2,000 MPW endorsement. Mark submitted his log and application with SKCC member numbers.

Call Grid Sq Output/Watts Total Miles MPW
VK4MFX QH31ar 500mW 1,111 2,222
VK2DVA QF56kf

Endorsements of this type are recorded in the SKCC 1,000 Miles per Watt database for all group members to see and admire.

Duly approved, recorded and published.

I set forth my hand and key.

Bill Nixon, W0EJ
SKCC #10440S
1,000 MPW Award Administrator