CQ WPX RTTY Contest - 2021
Call: VA3LR
Operator(s): VA3LR
Station: VA3LR
Class: SOAB HP
QTH: EN93WK
Operating Time (hrs): 29.5
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
80: 133
40: 401
20: 398
15: 103
10: 0
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Total: 1035 Prefixes = 509 Total Score = 1,769,793
Club: Contest Club Ontario
Comments:
Well … that was fun, but it did not come without challenges. Art’s comment
of the exchange for a running station is a good point and I actually thought of
taking some time before the contest got started to make the changes, but work
got into the way on Friday so I decided to skip it as I didn’t think I would
be running much. Little did I know that I would go on numerous runs, although
they were typically shorter (15 to 20 mins before they dried out) so it likely
could have cost me a few QSOs. N1MM also crashed a couple of times … I
decided that I would try going the all-keyboard route instead of using the mouse
… I always remember Ian, VE3JI mentioning this at our last in person get
together and thought I would try it and I can say I will never go back to using
the mouse with N1MM again. However, there must be a bug in the last version as
when using to ALT-G grab the callsign from the digital window, the program would
crash in a couple of instances … it worked flawlessly 99.9% of the time,
although I did have issues with Stacking call in the entry window more often.
After the crash an error report was generated, and I will send it over the N1MM
gang for their review.
My other issue was that around 0300 UTC on Saturday morning, suddenly a S9 noise
level appeared which made 40 and 80 completely unusable. The noise was also
present on 20 but to a much lesser degree. I thought the rest of my weekend was
done and depression set it. However, when I got back to my radio at around 1200
UTC on Saturday morning, the noise was gone and did not reappear again on a
constant basis, but I could see a slight noise on my panadapter on Saturday
evening. Makes me think it is likely be powerline noise as I have heard it
before on and off at all times of the day. But that is an investigation that
will need to wait for the coming weeks.
Back to the contest … because of the abrupt stop on Friday evening (resulting
in only one 80M before I shut down for the night) my operating plan was now out
the window, so in haste I created a new one not realizing a mathematical error
robbed me of 30 minutes of possible airtime. Not a huge issue but it did likely
cost me 15 to 20 contacts. But more than anything, the limitations of my
antennas are once again apparent. I cannot think of too many times when I
called someone during S&P that I did not get a response. My Hexbeam is just
too low (only at about 25 feet) and my double bazooka for 40 & 80 does well
for what it is but both scenarios are not optimal, and it makes it tough to run
on a consistent basis. I will admit that if it was not for my SPE 1.5K-FA amp
which was running at 1000 watts, I doubt that I would get anywhere near my final
score.
I know what needs to be done, and I just need to do it …
I hope all had fun and thanks for the Q’s. Take care and stay safe.
73, Mike VA3LR
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
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