ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW
Call: K6VVA
Operator(s): K6VVA
Station: K6VVA
Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: CA
Operating Time (hrs): 14:20
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160:
80: 141
40: 140
20: 131
15: 111
10:
------------
Total: 523 Sections = 80 Total Score = 83,680
Club: Northern California Contest Club
Comments:
2006 CW SS for me can be best described as Operator Abuse, and my Occupational
Hand Therapist is going to kick my butt today when I confess to her what I
did.
Even with a new Ergonomic keyboard, I am not supposed to be on the computer for
more than 15 minutes at one time. So my plan was to operate 15 minutes on and
15 minutes off, although wasn't sure I could even make my minimal goal and
pledge of 400 QSOs for the NCCC.
I was not looking forward to another SS from this Little Pistol Contest Station
RF-hole location, so I did a mental paradigm shift Saturday Morning to approach
things as if it were my very first SS. That helped TREMENDOUSLY!
When the checkered flag dropped, I got caught up in the excitement, and
decided to keep operating with several 3 to 7 minute mini-breaks each hour.
Working a couple of my usual most difficult or missed mults in the first few
hours fueled the excitement. I decided things looked good enough to make a run
at my first ever Clean Sweep. Thank God for packet in this endeavour.
Power outtages in this rural area are frequent, and since the power went out
Friday afternoon, I put the Honda EU2000i, a couple of gas cans and a long
power cord on the front (concrete) covered porch just-in-case. I also arranged
for my neighbor to come over and pull the starting cord for me if needed during
the contest. That's what neighbors are for, right? However, during my first
smoke break on the front porch, I forgot about the generator until realized I
was standing right next to the gas containers with a lighted cigarette. Duh!
Although I did some of my hand & wrist exercises while the computer sent out my
exchanges, in the 3rd hour things got painful. I kept pumping leftover
Halloween candy, Pop-Tarts and all sorts of other non-organic food into my
system every 20 minutes or so to keep the sugar buzz energy going.
The mults kept coming so I stayed at it PAINFULLY until Midnight and dropped
into bed with a swollen forearm. Not good.
At 7AM the Operator Abuse continued in spite of the pain and swelling, but
mults #78 & #79 called me on 15m in the next hour. The adrenalin was flowing
heavy, but also departure time for Church (or not) kept approaching rapidly.
Then I saw the post for mult #80 - VO1HP on 15m who ranged from 339 to 559 with
a big hill in that direction. So I made a deal with God ... help me work VO1HP
and I'll definitely go to Church. I expected a lightning bolt to zap me right
then!
After 59 minutes of getting squashed in the pileup, Mult #80 was finally in the
bag for I think my first Clean Sweep ever. Of course I dropped to my knees and
gave TNX, and headed off for Church. Coincidentally, the sermon dealt with
setting priorities, time management and changing eating habits! No surprise.
The rest of the Contest and evening was spent on the couch with an ice-pack on
& off and just plain sleeping.
Fortuntately, the swelling has gone down and minimal pain now after a decent
night's sleep, but would I abuse myself again for another Clean Sweep? YES,
YES & YES!!!
73 & Tnx for the Q's & Mults & the Clean Sweep...
Rick, K6VVA
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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