Very interesting, Mike.

As I said in my original post, I don't know if I'd ever have the time to 
pursue the various O M I S S awards seriously enough, but it was just very 
intriguing to listen to, and I was amazed as to how many participants there 
actually were.  It also amazes me to think that the O M I S S net runs every 
night, and I think there may be nets on other bands too.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Duke, K5XU" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2011 7:18 AM
Subject: Various Net Awardsd


> I've never participated in the O M I S S group, but I was active on
> the 3905 Century Club in the mid 1980s.
>
> One of my rigs at the time was a Yaesu FT7, the original model which
> ran more or less 10 watts out. I decided to see if I could get an 80
> meter Worked All States award with that rig, and used that net as an
> easy way to almost do it.
>
> When I was interrupted by a move into an apartment, I had 45 states
> worked just on their 75 meter net. I was only missing Alaska, Hawaii,
> Montana, Nevada, and Wyoming. Before I sold the FT7, I picked up the
> others accept for Alaska during weekend visits with my mom.
>
> This was before computers, electronic Braille note takers, etc, so all
> of the logs were done with Perkins and paper.
>
> I kept a conventional log, along with a second sheet which listed one
> contact from each state I had worked. I would update that second list
> once each week or so as the QSL cards arrived.
>
> My sister, who began filling out QSL cards for me when I was a Novice
> in 1969, continued doing so until I married in 2002. The Century Club
> net, which began originally as a way to work all states using the
> special bi-centennial call signs, just about worked her to death.
>
> As I approached the end of the W A S list with the FT7, I began the
> same project using a Heath HW12. That attempt was also disrupted by
> the move before it got beyond a dozen or so states, but it was fun
> while it lasted.
>
> Through most of the 1970s, I collected ten ten numbers on 10 meters. I
> kept a card file, with a card reflecting the initial contact with each
> new number. At about the time I filled the third shoebox size card
> file, the 10 meter paper chase went completely crazy, with almost
> every chapter of 10x offering some kind of award, their own numbers,
> etc. That's when I decided I was spending more time doing ham radio
> paperwork than I was with actual operating, so I gave up that chase.
>
>
>
>
> Mike Duke, K5XU
> American Council of Blind Radio Amateurs
>