I just worked W1ESE on 7030 in the NA contest. Scotty AZ. I was QRP using my K2 at 5W into the 400' loop.

I went to the hadrware store to get a fiberglass pole to hold up my magloop but didn't find one that wasn't half aluminum. Once in the car I put on a short 40m Hamstick and tuned around. Lots of RTTY QRM, but down low on 40m I heard K6WX calling CQ. I answered Kristen and we had a short CW QSO. I wished her GUD DX and said 73, as we're about 5 miles apart across the SF Bay. When Kristen was saying 73, though, I managed to pull the power plug out of my KX1 and lost the frequency. Kristen was 599 but I didn't get a report for my 3W. It was around 0100Z.

40m seemed dead. Even the SW broadcast stations were dim. I heard a snatch of ZL1 down low on 40m, and then JM7OLW calling CQ USA CW on 7004.50 and answered around 6:48. Suke took a few tries to get my call but then wished me happy new year. He had no other takers. I gave him a 539 but got a "very weak" which is an improvement since that last time Suke gave me a 519. He was probably using his IC-7800. K2+K5OOR amplifier at 35W into a 400' loop.

I got to check into CCN on 14.252.50 and work W4BUR who gave me a 559 at 0117Z with my K2 and K5OOR Amplifier at 35W into a 400' loop. Since it was SKN I used a straight key.

N5LK my dad also checked in right before me and NCS KI6PM could hear us both on 14.252.50. I could just barely hear something and make out the trace on the spectrum scope but my father couldn't hear me.

I had SKN#4 with K0PFX at 0430Z on 7025.59KHz. Mel is in St Louis, MO and was using 500W into a 2EL Yagi (!). I was running the K2 with the K5OOR amp at 35W into a 400' loop.