A shadow was cast over the scene on February 2nd as Punxsutawney Phil, newly emerged from his burrow, looked down with sleepy eyes and saw the dark outline of his likeness. By tradition, that signals six more weeks of winter here in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Punxsutawney Area Amateur Radio Club, K3HWJ, who get on the air each year for a special event to mark this winter ritual, did what Phil could not: they were able to stay warm and comfy in their burrows. Judy Smith, KC3JAS, who operated from home on Monday - Groundhog Day - told Newsline that her husband reported temperatures, including wind chill, of minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit - that's minus 23 Centigrade - on the final day of the three-day activation. He told the seasoned POTA operator that she needed to stay indoors. She told Newsline [quote] "I was disappointed, to say the least." [endquote]

Phil's wintry prediction also disappointed many observers, including hams who were either snowbound or tired of the freezing cold, Phil was not winning a popularity contest anywhere.

The event itself did not disappoint anyone, however. Judy said that she and the other three operators, Bill Latta, KA3MKY, Dale Wood, KC3NFD and Mike Brennan KC2EGI, found the bands "amazing" for some of the time. The club logged a total of 556 contacts, most of them on SSB.

For the groundhog, this was nothing to lose sleep over: With the event over, Phil reportedly went right back into hibernation.