[Dx-qsl] ZS8C Carson McAfee

Mon Mar 10 20:27:59 EDT 2014

About a year ago Carson McAfee, ZR6CWI, reactivated ZS8C from Marion 
Island; a much sort after DXCC entity.
That was the good news; the bad news was that he did not know morse. I 
took a chance and sent him an email asking if he would give it a try. He 
agreed and I sent him the basics of a DX CW exchange emphasizing that he 
listen to the rhythm as opposed to writing down the actual dots/dashes. 
It was a learning curve and he did quite well. On 26 October 2013 @1402Z 
we met on 28.035 and made the CW contact. Granted it was very slow but 
it was his first CW QSO. He was elated; I was elated and /"it was the 
best of times"./
Following that contact Carson went on to increase his speed and work 
many others. I understand that he has or will leave the Island finishing 
up his tour of duty and returning Johannesburg, South Africa. I would 
like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the CW operators he 
worked to say thanks for your efforts. The challenge was there and you 
took it upon yourself to learn a new language that has a very long and 
proud history throughout the world. Good luck to you and again thank you 
so very much for having the courage and tenacity to increase your 
communication skills and provide a new CW contact to the deserving.......
73, Murray, K3BEQ