ARRL 10-Meter Contest
Call: N6DE
Operator(s): N6DE
Station: N6IJ
Class: SO Mixed HP
QTH: CA
Operating Time (hrs): 27
Summary:
Mode QSOs Mults
----------------------
CW: 761 100
SSB: 1256 105
----------------------
Total: 2017 205 = 1,138,980
Club: West Valley ARA
Comments:
Equipment:
Kenwood TS850SAT
Alpha 87A
Wilson 3-element tribander at 45 feet
Soapbox:
Thanks to Pat AA6EG for allowing me to use the N6IJ station
(http://www.polkinghorn.org/n6ij). Also, thanks to Kent K6ENT
for loaning me his laptop computer.
This was my first real S/O contest effort! I have almost always
participated in multi-ops, but this time I wanted to help the West
Valley ARA in their local club category entry for the 10m contest.
With one radio, one amp, one antenna, and no packet, I think
I did OK for my first serious S/O. The great location and high power
sure made for a fun time. The 2,017 QSO mark was more than any
previous contest total that has ever been made at N6IJ, regardless of
contest or entry class.
I started the contest with a 182 QSO hour. I knew from that point
that this was going to be a fun contest! However, as everyone else
said, propagation in this year's contest clearly was not as good as last year.
Europe was a real struggle for me. I only had 70 European QSOs
in total. Even JA seemed much weaker than I expected, as N6IJ
has a beautiful shot toward the Pacific. Regardless, JAs and Asia
are always a pleasure to work. The tremendous stateside and Canadian
activity made up for everything else!
I never heard Wyoming, Labrador, or NWT. I worked all other
states and Canadian mults on at least one mode.
Well after sunset on Saturday, there seemed to be a pipeline into
two states: Colorado and Arizona! That was fun to discover.
But, I went to bed on Saturday really worried about my mult total.
Thankfully, propagation to Europe opened on Sunday, and parts
of EU remained open quite late. I was in disbelief when an SM
called me at 22:30Z!
I enjoyed operating mixed mode in this contest. The mixed mode
category makes one weigh all kinds of strategical options throughout
the contest. Should I keep running on SSB, or move to CW where I
know my rate will be lower, but the QSOs are twice as valuable, and
possibly increase the total mults? I got a kick out of these dilemmas!
And yes, I do need to seek mental help.
The big thrill was having my CQ on SSB answered by 3V8BB.
Thanks to everyone for their patience and the QSOs.
Happy Holidays!
-Dean - N6DE
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