Thought I would send this to the SECC reflector - even though I was
outside the circle and the score had to go to FCG.
Hal
ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW
Call: N4GG/4
Operator(s): N4GG
Station: N4GG
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: SFL
Operating Time (hrs): 10:11
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160: 0
80: 0
40: 112
20: 139
15: 0
10: 0
------------
Total: 251 Sections = 70 Total Score = 35,140
Club: Florida Contest Group
Comments:
Lashed something up at the new condo in SFL at the last minute: FT-857,
Hustler sticks for 20 and 40 on a second floor balcony. Changed out the
Hustler on 20 for a hamstick on Sunday - a major improvement. The only
difference between a 20M Hustler mobile whip and a dummy load is the
dummy load has a better SWR. All S&P at about a 25 rate - you really
have to want to contest to do this. Nice salt-water take-off to Europe!
No computer interface - all sending was QLF with a mal-adjusted Bencher
(didn't have the Allen wrench but pliers work) - sorry about the CW, I'm
rusty. Operating table was a cardboard box - harder on the back than I
imagined and it wandered around when sending. The little rice-box
receiver held up remarkably well - had the factory DSP and an INRAD 500
in it - without those - forget SS on a double conversion RX. Heard
every section - the pileup for VY was not breakable from here - lots of
CQ'ing in my face from the other sections. Worked 250 Qs and gave it up
- only 1,000 short of my goal - Hi, Hi. This was a good try-out for the
SFL QTH. Noise is low and propagation sounded okay - Sunday being
better on 20 than Saturday...but, the antenna restrictions are BAD. FL
operating may all be guest operating until I can get a large junk
sailboat for $10 (maybe even free - they are around) with a nice high
mast - it doesn't have to run or anything - don't need any sails or a
working engine - just tow it to my dock and never move it. Boats can
have antennas - condos can't - its in the condo rules (EVERYTHING is in
the condo rules). Just need an air conditioned cabin and 220V at the
dock
- no problem, instant ham shack/contest station. The mast stays would
make
great slopers or dipoles - right on salt water. Big STEPPIR vertical on
the
aft deck. Wonder what the condo police would say about a C31XR on top
of a 50 ft sailboat mast with 1.5 KW on it? Full power to a vertical on
salt water makes great corona displays at night. How to make new
friends! N4GG part-time /4 and making plans.
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