The DXFC Web Site - GM4AFF

2009 gave me 7 new DXFC points, and a few exciting experiences too. I made a side trip to Lebanon from Abu Dhabi early in the year on Emirates air miles and had a quiet 24 hours in Beirut. Quite surprised at how many 'shot up' buildings I saw. A quick refuel stop-over between Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi gave me a quick foot-print in Bahrain thanks to the generosity of the KLM aircrew. A day trip to Kuwait in May gave me the opportunity to meet Hamad 9K2HN and see his fantastic shack and downtown antenna farm. In July I was fortunate to be able to do the IOTA Contest from Alex GD6IA's shack on the Isle of Man. Rafiq JY4CI was a most excellent host when I made an overnight stop in Amman and I even managed to run a short pile-up at the JY6ZZ club station. Some business in Damascus meant that I spent a week there in November. No radio, but I managed to get to Busra, an archeological site with ruins going back through thousands of years. In December I took the Sofia - Moscow express from Bucharest to Kiev, which took 27 hours (not bad for 54 Euros including couchette), and I spent the day with the well known QSL printer Gennady UX5UO. Gennady gave me a first class lunch, a tour of Kiev and dropped me off at the airport, for which I am grateful. Sadly I got my money stolen at the railway station, but I won't let this taint my view of Ukraine!
As far as 2010 is concerned I have a plan to do SP, LY, YL, UA2 and EW by train and plane to WRTC at Moscow in July. Who knows where my work will take me, but I'll ensure that I can engineer some new ones en route!
Finally let me wish seasons greetings to all DXFCers and best wishes for 2010 to you all.