"W5MAF - This is Whiskey Five Mike Alpha Fox calling CQ CQ Special Event", "operating from the National Weather Service Office in Midland, Texas." .....static..... "W5MAF this is W0CET - Whiskey Zero Charlie Echo Tango operating from the National Weather Service Office in Topeka Kansas. Operator name here is Terry and it’s 55 degrees, clear, your 599 QSL"

This is the information from the logbook I submitted after my hours of operation. Operator: Bill Bentley, N5POB; Rig: ICOM 706 MK II G; Input Power: 300 Watts; Antenna: High Sierra; Started operation: 01:01 UTC 27-11-99; Ended Operation: 17:20 UTC 27-11-99; Worked total of 8 NWS Special Event Stations and a total of 72 Stations logged.

I packed up after work on Friday, November 26, 1999, and by 6:45 PM, I was on my way to the National Weather Service, which is located by the Midland International Airport. I talked with Mike Smith, W5MLS, and Mark Smith, N5UNH, on my way out, and it sounded like they were well on their way to getting set up.

"Come on out, the coffee is hot!" could be heard on 2 meter radio, as I made my way down Challenger Drive and arrived at the NWS Service about 7:00 PM. I found Dwayne Fox, W5ZOX, already set up in his van and was working away at the packet station trying to get to the NWS Service in Amarillo, Texas. Dick Titchen, W5RCB, was already working stations on 10 meters from his pickup truck. Robert Boyd, KC5ZJO, and Trey Watkins, KD5HGE, were walking around and assisting Dwayne, W5ZOX. I got some coffee, and it was pretty good and the evening chill had already started making the coffee taste that much better. I set up and started working on 40 meters and within the next hour I had already worked 22 stations. Mark Smith, N5UNH, soon showed up. We visited and he allowed Trey, KD5HGE, to operate on his rig on 10 meters. Mike Smith, W5MLS, came and set up operations on 80 meters with a Ten Tec rig with a vertical antenna. I soon moved to 20 meters, then to 80 meters which started interfering with Mike Smith, W5MLS. Mark Smith, N5UNH, had to leave for a family emergency about 11:00 PM. I left and went home about 11:45 PM.

The next morning I left the house at 6:30 AM and arrived at the NWS Service around 6:50 AM or so after filling up with gas and getting a big cup of coffee from 7-11. I found Dwayne Fox, W5ZOX, still there, having stayed up most all night working packet and various 2 meter stations. I set up on 10 meters and worked a few stations until I shut down my operations at 11:20 AM and left at 11:45 AM . Others that helped out included Joe Coldewey, KK5ZG, Doug Harwood, K5MTX, Ted Harwood, W5WTX, Fred Coonce, K5WTC, Sterling Talley, WB5G, Mike Glen, K5EG, and Ken Williams, K5JOG..

I managed to run my battery on my car down a couple of times and over all had really a good time. I can surely say this Special Event operation was a success. When the time comes for emergency communications, as usual, the amateur radio operators come forth and do the job. I certainly hope this will become an annual event.

There is a Gallery of Pictures at the following URL on the W5QGG Web Site. http://www.w5qgg.org/nws1.htm.