Last year of eligibility as a Rookie, should have waited another month to get licensed!  Seems like
a low turnout, and have much to do to get ready for the holidays.  Decided to QRT early.  73s, and
good luck to next year's Rookies!

Great fun.  I decided to get brave and attempt a CW run in this event. Glad I did as my QSO rate
increased nicely, especially after a QSY to 40 meters just before the close. I dedicate this to
memory of my dad, who passed last May, as he inspired me to always keep learning things. Thanks to
all who QSO'd with me. 73.

Many thanks to all who came out and participated, especially WO7A for a rookie QSO on three bands!

This was a tough contest.  Despite the forecast geomagnetic storm, the bands seemed to hold
together.  However, it wasn't easy to make contacts and keep the rate up.  With a wide range of code
proficiencies, in order to work the most stations, CQs needed to be made fairly slowly.  It was
tough to speed up, because veteran stations would slow to the speed of the call, and it was easier
to just work them slowly than ask whether they could/would speed back up.

Another big challenge was dealing with the stations who weren't familiar with the exchange: I lost
several QSOs (and XE/DX mults!) for want of the proper info, and doubt I am alone in that respect. 
Congratulations to all the rookies who persevered through these conditions.  I'd strongly urge you
to get involved with the Straight Key Century Club, whose members provided a great number of QSOs
during the Rookie Roundup.  Their monthly sprints and weekend sprintathon are lots of fun, and with
an exchange that is generally easier to understand.  When your CW gets faster, the Sweepstakes and
the other non-rookie contests can be very exciting.

See you on the bands!

1st time participating. Using wire ant and 50-75W.

This was my first and will be my last rookie roundup event. Licensed in 2012. Was a lot of fun but
the bands dropped off here in MD around 2100 UTC and came back 2 hrs later. I enjoy fun contests. It
would be nice to include an RST as part of the exchange considering almost all contests require it.
73 Steve

Caught a couple of DX but couldn't get them to give year. Slower than last year, it seemed like.
Lots of CENT activity. Last one as a rookie :( it's been fun.

I haven't worked this contest since it was the Novice Roundup...and I WAS a Novice. Great time
meeting some new hams with a love for CW. Happy Holidays de KB2HSH!

My first CW QSO's.  Thanks to all and especially Luis, KP4ED in Puerto Rico. 73 KD8VMF

Wow, lots more activity than expected, great fun! Much better after a year of CW practice!

This form is confusing,  Thanks

Not a rookie here but I thought I'd submit a log.

Thanks for your work Bruce!

I tried to attract a local rookie to particpate in the event, but there were no takers.  Calling CQ
R attracted seasoned US and VK hams.  Therefore rookie contacts were made S&P, only.

Bands were very noisy :-( Hope to do a lot better next and last year!

Lots of fun working portable in California.  I would like to have seen a little more activity.  I
called CQ a lot with little interest and was picked up well on the RBN.  Not sure how to best
encourage others to look for and help out rookies.  Although it is too late now, it would have been
fun to be worth 200 centennial points for the 6 hours of the roundup!

Last year to operate as a Rookie... I had fun but was only able to operate for a little over an
hour. Seemed like quite a few more rookies out there than the last two years. Fun times.

Nice time.  Good to here some CW activity from the Rookies.  CW rocks.
Maybe next time I will invite a Rookie to my station.

Not many stations willing to respond to CW less than 20WPM.

Actually heard and recorded someone on the 2 meter calling channel ridiculing the rookie CW activity
that weekend.  :-(

It surely was fun working the rookies.  This reminded of my novice days and how I learned so much
from my "on-the-air" Elmers, most of whom I never met.
Hopefully, many of these rookies will become die-hard contesters someday.

73 to all and thanks for the few QSOs.

--Dr. Larry S. Anderson, WB5EIN
Tupelo, MS (birthplace of Elvis)