Franz Josef Land (Zone 40):   This contact was made on 15M SSB in September 1997.  At that time I had just gotten back on the air after being inactive since 1984.  I was very lucky to make this contact by answering his CQ on what appeared to be a dead band.  I worked this station again on 17M CW in October 1997.  Cycle 23 was just showing signs of ramping up and conditions on the high bands were sporadic at best.  I didn't know I had worked a rare country until I received his QSL via the bureau.  Callsigns had changed a lot during the 13 years I was inactive.