The Best DX-pedition Leader EVER, is the last leader (and team) who gave me an ATNO. PERIOD.
When you read the eHam DX Forum, you will see that the one theme that the denizens of that fine lounge agree on – is an ATNO is revered – no matter who or how it was worked. That’s the only thing that breaks the usual din and drone and banter – its the one time everyone seems genuinely happy there. Lots of high fives – the most recent “biggie” being FT5ZM.
When I look through my DX Honor Roll QSL Binder – it reminds me who I need to be thankful for – and as far as I am concerned, anyone who gave me an ATNO deserves to be in the CQ DX Hall of Fame.
I started DX-ing in July 2001 – so missed many “legends” – even though these legends were out there activating places after I went inactive (1977) and before I returned to the hobby – as a DX-er.
I was surprised at how many have been chastized for this that or another thing. For example, I worked Desecheo (K3LP/KP5) BEFORE K5D, and that activation had to end abruptly, but those two guys (Dave and Kam) were my absolute heroes at the time because they went and activated an ultra rare entity and did it with a huge surprise. ZL9HR was one of my all time favorites – even with the ensuing controversy. Same with 7O6T (no controversy) – but – huge surprise. Vlad, UA4WHX – way too many ATNO’s to count. Mike and Jan, George and Tomi, Nigel and Roger, Chuck – N4BQW, scientists at Franz Josef and Antarctica and Macquarie, etc, Cordell Bob – San Felix and Kure especially, Five Star – 3B’s especially, Hrane – Baker especially, Siggi, Pierre (working as ZS8M), Microlite Penguins – FT5XO especially, Ed – P5/4L4FN, Ralph and Bob – too many to list just one, all those activating Andaman and Lakshwadweep, Pooyan – EP3PK, Diya – Z81D, Team Vertical, Monk Apollo, Elmo and Friends, Dietmar, Franz, Zorro, Joe and Friends, The guys who activated TO4E, Silvano and his crew, Martti and Wayne – BS7 – see what I mean?
Some are at the top of my list because of what they did antenna wise (Team Vertical) – or propagation wise – independent of the “number of Q’s” made.
Now – this is coming from an “Armchair DX-er” – the guy who donates $100 for ATNO’s. I happen to donate ahead of time – and then donate more when I apply for the card on OQRS. I feel like I am a cheap skate – I know how much these activations cost . . . so I try to support at what I think is a “reasonable” level. But the League of Armchair DX-ers are “the customers” in this game. Are the customers always right?
Many, many DX-pedition Leaders and teams would qualify – way too many to count. I know I have missed some – but all of these people are special to me – when I look at my QSL book – these are the people I remember and hold high in esteem. And the DX-ing hobby would be boring without all of these different people and their different approaches and styles. And controversies. Its part of the “fabric” that gives the DXCC program its “mystique” – because if it were just a logical award with technically expert / precision DX-peditions I’d be collecting stamps instead.
