ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW - 2021
Call: K8CN
Operator(s): K8CN
Station: K8CN
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: NH
Operating Time (hrs): 13.0
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160:
80: 68
40: 198
20: 110
15: 68
10:
------------
Total: 444 Sections = 80 Total Score = 71,040
Club: Yankee Clipper Contest Club
Comments:
This contest was a classic study (for me) in how NOT to do well in SS CW. I had
poor sleep Friday night, then worked most of Saturday on garage clean-out with
many trips to the town dump. Didn't start the contest until 2300Z, but was so
tired I bailed out around 0200Z. I had fully intended to do this contest in my
traditional QRP mode, largely as a result of the self-induced RFI problems I've
had with the logging computer when running at 100 watts. However, Saturday
night's frustration where nobody could hear me calling on 20 meters prompted the
shift to LP class. I slept late on Sunday morning, then took the dog for a long
walk and finally felt ready to resume the contest. Fortunately, things improved
as did my mental acuity as Sunday progressed!
The past few times I've entered SS CW my focus has been on getting close to the
clean sweep, and this year was not much different except for the +13 dB
improvement in my transmitted signal, which made normally difficult contacts
much more fun. I searched in vain for EWA, knew that NT would be tough even
with LP, and was surprised not to find PE on 80 or 40 meters given its proximity
to New England. I heard VO1MP only in passing and chased him without luck. It
wasn't until Sunday evening that I found a QC station - practically in our
backyard here in NH.
The RFI problems persisted on 80 meters, so I had to drop the TX power to 10
watts on that band only to allow the logging computer to function properly. It
handles 100 watts on 40 meters and up without any bad behavior, but on 80 and
160 it locks up the USB ports so I can't run the keyboard or mouse. Eventually
I'll get the right ferrites on all the cables!
Thanks to all for the Qs, and it's always good to contact old and new friends.
Someone commented that SS CW is like NAQP for retired traffic handlers, and I
certainly fall into that category. I did QMN, the Michigan CW traffic net,
almost daily starting in high school, served as NCS for many sessions and did
occasional liaison stints to 8RN. SS CW captures a bit of that traffic handling
magic.
Hat's off to all of my QRP contesting friends, and hearty congratulations to
Steve, N2IC, who obviously needed a new challenge in QRP class after repeatedly
winning this contest in the Single Op, High Power, Unassisted mode.
73,
Mike, K8CN
Rig: Elecraft K2/10 driving an external KPA100/KAT100 amp/ATU combo for 100 watt
ecstasy; 135 foot doublet, center-fed with window line, about 40 feet high and
used on all bands.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
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