By C.W. Thompson, K4HC In working HF contacts, especially DX contacts, one of the first things (and often the second and third thing, as well) people are told to do is to LISTEN. It seems obvious that in order to make a successful two-way radio contact, each person must hear the other, and be able to communicate, if even briefly for a signal report and to exchange call signs. It is repeated often enough – LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN. I think that there is more to it than that – you need to LEARN to listen, and hear, and comprehend what you receive over the air. I should be up-front – I have no training in this area. But I do feel I have something ...

2014 marked the 100th anniversary of the ARRL. To help celebrate this milestone, the ARRL announced two activities to be carried out throughout the year – W1AW operating portable in every state and several territories; and the Centennial Challenge, where points were accumulated for making on-air contacts with ARRL members, volunteers, staff, and officers. The part that first caught my attention was the W1AW portable operations. As the ARRL was offering a special certificate (and optional plaque) for working all states during their portable operations, I almost immediately set my sights on obtaining that. Having recently completed 5 Band WAS, I ...