Al Ward, W5LUA, Makes 1296 MHz WAS #1

Al Ward, W5LUA, of Allen, Texas, is the first person ever to achieve the ARRL’s Worked All States (WAS) on 1296 MHz, making him 1296 MHz WAS #1. Ward first started on his pursuit January 25, 1977, with his first 1296 MHz contact with Leroy May, W5HN (SK). His 30 year quest ended just this week, with confirmed contacts with Wyoming, Utah and Idaho, giving Ward his last three needed states, thanks to Paul Perryman’s, WA5WCP, EME DXpedition. “I couldn’t have done this without Paul,” Ward said. “Also, thanks to Ron Roche, K0ALL, and Barry Malowanchuk, VE4MA, in North Dakota for number 47 in August. Without them, it just wouldn’t have been possible.” After collecting his 50th QSL card, Ward drove from his home in Texas to Little Rock, Arkansas so ARRL President Joel Harrison, W5ZN, could verify his cards and complete his WAS paperwork. “Verifying QSL cards from 30 years of activity brought back a lot of memories of several stations active on 1296, many who are Silent Keys now,” Harrison said.

http://www.arrl.org/?artid=7715

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