ARRL 160-Meter Contest
Call: K3KU
Operator(s): K3KU
Station: K3KU
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: MDC
Operating Time (hrs): 11
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 495 Sections = 61 Countries = 4 Total Score = 61,750
Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club
Comments:
My first serious effort in this 'Test (that is, I worked the whole second night)
was in 2014. My score has dropped every year since then, but I think condx have
worsened over those four years, even though noise was very low this year.
Particularly, in 2014 I worked several West Coast Sections, and even a European
or two. Last year I was zero-for-California. This year I worked only two
Sections west of the Mountain Barrier: SDG and OR. At one point I repeatedly
called a Californian who would either CQ in my face or work a JA. That's
discouraging.
There were, however, four highlights. First was my "fresh meat"
opening run Saturday night. My usual 2345Z start was delayed by some family
chores. I found a little hole, called CQ, and was answered by N3QE at 0110Z.
In the next 59 clock minutes I had another 135 QSOs, probably my best rate
ever. My typing/N1MM skills slowed me down more than did my pileup skills. My
newness ran out a couple of minutes later, and I took 30 minutes off.
Second highlight came as I tuned across a little pileup. I heard former
Marylander (and Multi-Multi partner) K5RT say "Steve" to the runner.
Well, there are not so many Steves active in these contests. I listened for a
few more QSOs, barely able to hear the runner -- just an occasional whisper out
of the noise. Then I heard him say "5NN AK". Then somebody he worked
sent the runner's call; of course -- KL7SB. To me, that counts as having heard
AK on 160M. (No, I did not bother to call him, and I think the only station I
heard him work east of the Great Lakes was a VE3 or VE2.)
Third highlight was getting called by EA7KW during a run, loud enough to get
through the North Americans. Big signal; better ears. That was the only
European I heard! Other DX was ZF, C6, and PJ2.
Fourth highlight was getting called by GTA and NNY. (Where were you in SS??)
I noticed a large number of EPA and a lot of SNJ and NNJ. I see from other
comments here that FRC turned out for this one. Thanks for the QSOs.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
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