And so it begins.....

 

The radio waterfall showed a static snowstorm with a Kp index of 7 and the Bz dipping to -22! While all this was going on this radio operator had his hands on the keyboard home row, headphones on and eyes closed listening for a unique noise that would weave its way among the static ripples. Then there was something that had more intensity than the jagged static...N4 was all that was heard as the invisible static currents dragged the rest into the unknown. Grinding out the static I waited for the next opportunity when the static currents would let go of more Morse code.

 Then came the familiar code rhythm...N4BP as it was allowed to dance on the peaks of the static rolls. This was how the first CWops mini contest of 2024 rolled out.
I like these conditions as they sharpen my ability to ferret  out the music of code from atmospheric growling. When the average code coming at you is 32-38wpm a fine flow from ears to brain to hands is enthusiastically challenged as multiple skills are developed. And so goes day one of 2024!