NA QSO SUMMARY SHEET Contest Dates : 16-Aug-97, 17-Aug-97
Callsign Used : K4RO Operator : K4RO Default Exchange : KIRK TN
Team/Club : Tennessee Contest Group - Team #1 Category : Single Op
BAND Raw QSOs Valid QSOs Points Mults IC-761 + 75A-4 rx
__________________________________________________ TR-Log 6.05
160SSB 2 2 1 2 1/4 wave sloping GP
80SSB 14 14 14 8 half sloper @ 70'
40SSB 132 130 130 36 boom of PRO-57A
20SSB 207 200 200 40 PRO-57A @ 98'
15SSB 60 59 59 15 " "
10SSB 58 57 57 12 " "
__________________________________________________
Totals 473 462 461 113
Final Score = 52,093 points.
Soapbox Comments
________________
This was my second attempt at a phone contest, and my first attempt at
using a voice keyer (DVP.)
I actually felt that the DVP hurt me at times, mainly because I was
using it inappropriately. I would have probably been better off just
using it to CQ when my voice got tired. Using it during the exchange
often messed up my rhythm, and I'm sure my runs diminished as a result.
I felt like my rate was higher & my rhythm smoother w/o the DVP in the
January SSB NAQP. Guess I need to learn how to use one properly.
I did some moving of multipliers to other bands, and it often worked.
Especially moving east coast stations between 40, 20 and 15.
Highlights: working two KL7 stations in a row, and they were both
mobiles. Also worked a bicycle mobile station. There was a pretty
decent opening to the northeast on 10 meters which was nice. I might
not have found it without the 75A-4. Ten sounded fairly lifeless until
I heard K0EJ up there working guys while I was running on 15m. Figured
what's good enough for Mark is good enough for me, so I left my 15m run
and headed for ten. Sure enough, it was a decent opening.
Lowlights: The low bands were horrible. Worst I've ever heard in my
three year contest career. I really should have spent more time on 80,
and made my biggest mistake there. Should have at least struggled for
a decent mutilplier count. I just could not hear folks and they could
not hear me. So I kept returning to 20 to work the west. Eighty is
usually one of my strongest bands, but not this time. In addition, my
antennas are all cut for CW, and don't perform as well on phone. Used
the IC-761 internal tuner throughout the contest. Never need it on CW.
Another thing I keep learning over & over is that it's important to
be flexible. If a band isn't producing or propagation isn't meeting
my expectations, I need to adapt quickly and try other things.
Thanks for QSOs everyone.
-Kirk K4RO
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