ARRL 160-Meter Contest
Call: N1EU
Operator(s): N1EU
Station: N1EU
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: Delmar NY (Albany)
Operating Time (hrs): 23
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 1234 Sections = 78 Countries = 38 Total Score = 321,436
Club:
Comments:
Squeezed almost every drop I could out of this station on topband I took 3-hour
rest breaks both nights and pulled the plug each morning after sunrise.
Improved on last year's raw totals of 1184/78/26/258K.
In general terms, condx were fair, not great. Second night's condx were a major
roller coaster ride - serious qrn developed as the night progressed and rate
slowly dropped to about 30 qso's per hour because of condx and not enough fresh
meat. But the one prayer to hold out for is enhancement from Europe after
0400/0500Z with their approaching sunrise. This never occurred at all last year
or on the first night this year. When it happens in dramatic fashion, I find it
one of the most exciting experiences that contesting can offer. It's a major
shot in the arm, especially for us in the northeast who are otherwise
disadvantaged in a fundamentally domestic contest (like Sweepstakes). To this
end, it's important to be vigilant on a good run frequency if/when it happens.
The veil on Europe almost miraculously (considering the condx at the time)
lifted just above the noise on the second night and I was able to pull out 30
European callers in one dramatic 40 minute stretch after 0600Z. I ended the
contest with 101 5-pointers. I missed Alaska and NWT sections, same as last
year.
I concur with those who suggest point allocation based on grid square distance.
QSO's between coasts deserve proportionately more points. Bravo to the Stew
Perry contest. We should add a second one-night topband contest a la Stew Perry
to the calendar.
Thanks for all the qso's and patience while I strained to pull some callers out.
Apologies for those I couldn't pull out of the high noise level on the second
night. Thanks especially to all dx callers, who add needed excitement to what
otherwise could be a real grind. Kudos to neighbor K2XA for being qrt most of
the contest on my behalf.
Equipment:
Inverted L transmit antenna (60-70ft high in the trees) with elevated radials
and feedpoint
580ft Beverages NE/SW/SE/NW
Ten-Tec Orion, Acom 2000A, Ten-Tec 238 tuner
N1MM Logger software
73,
Barry N1EU
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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