David N6AN: from Teen with Tubes to 2024 SOTA Challenge Winner | Sofas on the Air Ep. 11

In this episode we welcome David N6AN! David was #1 in the USA for the 2024 10m SOTA challenge, and #5 in the world - all done while QRP. He's a consummate contester and DXer, with ears trained to hear CW whispered by a mouse across a canyon in a hurricane. In this episode David shares his journey from eager teen to seasoned CW op amidst plenty of jokes and fun tangents into activations and other SOTA-ventures!As always, the Sofa was captained by Mark KD7DTS and Ara N6ARA.__PATREON__We strongly believe that in-person chats are more fun! Want to help us fly SOTA icons out for in-person interviews? Join our Patreon (and Discord) community!https://www.patreon.com/c/SofasOnTheAirAre you audio-only? We're on most of the Podcast services!- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5nCqdV4j1TdPEenmwpCEPS?si=82449a53352a477d- Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sofas-on-the-air/id1820292444__SHOW NOTES__Ara N6ARA on YouTube: @N6ARAElectronics The N6ARA Store: https://n6ara.com/Drink tastings:- Hazy IPA by MadeWest Brewing Co.- N6ARA: Opt Outside by Chapman Crafted Beer- N6AN: Pink Lemonade by SpindriftHigh Speed Telegraphy Record: https://youtu.be/Gkn4SsUMMnI?si=DbZALXIRUrSly6tD__CHAPTERS__0:00 Welcome and Episode Summary2:47 Drink tasting5:22 The Retrorig for April Fools18:41 Today's Activation: Pebble Build! 33:59 David's Ham Journey1:03:14 How did David get SO good at Morse Code? 1:14:25 Winning the 10m SOTA Challenge in America1:29:00 Telegraphy Competitions1:43:48 Thanks to our Patreons and... DIT DIT!__THANKS & ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS__Umesh KK6TXI - outro musicDi KO6BTM - intro/outro graphics and cover art