CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW
Call: PJ2T
Operator(s): K8ND N1ZZ N5OT N8BJQ W4PA W8WTS W0NB WA4PGM
Station: PJ2T
Class: M/M HP
QTH: Curacao
Operating Time (hrs): 48
Summary:
Band QSOs Zones Countries
-------------------------------
160: 1041 23 91
80: 1270 29 109
40: 2952 37 136
20: 3336 38 139
15: 2541 33 134
10: 971 21 59
-------------------------------
Total: 12111 181 668 Total Score = 30,339,015
Club:
Comments:
Congratulations to the ops at juggernaut HC8N, to the VooDudes at TZ5A, and all
the ops at other Multi-Multi stations!
This is the first CQWW CW Multi-Multi from the PJ2T Signal Point station since
our 2002 operation, before the station had become fully multi-capable with the
interstation interference issues resolved and sufficient reliable equipment
stockpiled.
We had a power failure for three hours a couple of hours before the start of the
contest, and the generator was pulled out, fueled, and wired for use if the line
did not return. While we can generate enough AC to power the radios at low
power, our little generator is not sufficient to power the amplifiers as well
(even at the PJ2 power limit of 1 KW DC input, which we observe).
The power came back at about 2100Z, but it was not immediately obvious that it
was at a reduced voltage. When the ops sat down to final tune the amps and start
staking out spots on the bands, it soon became obvious that we still had power
problems.
The AC voltage in the shack was 87 volts, and the FT-1000MPs did not like this,
generating very low output and resetting themselves to 7.0000 MHz. The
amplifiers did not like this, and we initally thought that an amp had failed as
well and swapped it out. The operators did not like this. We changed the tap on
the step-down transformer used to drop the island-normal 140 volt/50 Hz line
voltage down to an equipment-safe level. The effect of this was to raise the AC
bus to just above 100 volts, where we operated for most of the contest. We
started the contest six minutes late.
The oft-mentioned substandard signal we were transmitting on 10 meters was, we
thought, due to the effects of low voltage on one of the amplifiers, but we
later discovered that the amplifier (our newest, and not previously
battle-tested)itself seems to have a problem. We apologize for the distinctive
593 signal!
Conditions on the lowbands were great. Signals on 160 meters from Europe were
loud and plentiful. S50U posted a recording of our signal on 160 on his web site
at: http://s50u.s50e.si/zacni.php?stran=audio. We were surprised that 40 meters
was as much a workhorse band as it was, but it just kept producing. We don't
feel we missed much that was available to us on 20 meters, and yet other
stations found more countries. 10 meters was a major disappointment, but not
unexpectedly.
The warm weather and kind people of Curacao are always a joy, and the team for
this operation was particularly compatible. It was a great time in Paradise!
Thanks to Geoff W0CG/PJ2DX for doing much of the station reconfiguration for
Multi-Multi before our arrival, and to all of the members of the Caribbean
Contesting Consortium (CCC) for continuing to support, maintain, and enhance the
Signal Point station! And, thanks to all the stations that work us contest after
contest!
Logs for the operation have been uploaded to Logbook of the World (LotW), or you
can QSL via N9AG for "paperware" confirmation.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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