CQ 160 Meter Contest, CW
Call: W2GD
Operator(s): K2TW, KB2JAQ, KU2C, KB5U, K8NZ, N2AA, W1GD, W2CG, W2GD, W2NO,
W2RQ
Station: W2GD
Class: SOHP
Operating Time (hrs): 40
QTH: NJ
QSOs: 1,100 States/Provinces: 57 Countries: 46 Score: 350,921
Comments:
Congratulations to the K2TOP team for a well earned victory! And special
mention especially to the W1FJ and W8JI teams for their efforts.
As the day of the contest dawned in NJ the weather was terrible, nearly a foot
of snow on the ground, 5 degrees F and windy, wind chill temps. in the minus 20
range, not exactly idea conditions to put up two 160M loops and 8 beverages.
Outdoor work that normally take 4 hours took 7, and the snow and ice made
working on the dunes on the US Coast Guard Sandy Hook Station treacherous. Its
not pretty no matter how you happen to slip and end up on your butt!
After the long outdoor seige the team had absolutely no time available to do
the normal pre-contest antenna testing and a top to bottom station
configuration review prior to the start at 2200Z. Station hookup and wiring
was literally completed minutes before the bell. This was probably the most
important single factor impacting our performance this year. Near the end of
the contest we accidently discovered a critical wiring mistake had resulted in
our running on the lower transmit antenna all weekend (which partially explains
our low total of 10 point QSOs). Performance problems with the west and
northeast beverages still remain a mystery.
But the name of the game is having fun and after 4 weekends of preparations we
felt the teamwork and cooperative spirit was terrific. We all vowed to return
and give it another try next year. Besides, four successful operations in six
years of "Field Day in January" CW operations from the HOOK ain't bad. Maybe
next time Murphy (and the bad weather) will remain at bay (we bet the W8JI team
feels much the same way).
We want to thank the U.S. Coast Guard for granting permission to use their
great facilities and being fabulous hosts during our stay on the base.
73, John W2GD
Team Leader
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