Had a full morning with chores and projects here but managed some time on 40. Band seemed to be in good shape. Worked Russ/WB3FAU and Ken/WG3FU for a while on 7.285 then attempted to get some work done. Worked Jerry/W4GSL on the way out the door, his first AM contact. Cool. Also got caught by Jeff/K3EMW after that. Jerry and Ken got talking as I made good my escape.
Left the rig on while working around the garage and yard, had an old 1923 TRF torn apart on the bench when I heard someone up the band a bit. Turned out to be Buddly/WD8BIL working Rob/K5UJ out in Illinois on 90. This was pushing 3:30 in the afternoon, Radio China was really pounding that end of the band. Am amazed I could hear Rob at all, even one word. That's quite a haul for that time of the day on 40. Clearly you have it dialed in for 40m, Rob.
Buddly - good catching up again, it's been a while. Even with waning band conditions and RCI noise you were 56-58 or more, even +5 over after I signed with you. Rob was 53-55 and would've been Q5 much of the time were it not for the broadcast noise.
40 remains a fun band. Especially so when your 80m aerial is down.