It was encouraging to see the spots from JA of 9M6AAC, BY1DX and V85AA when
I arrived in the shack at 1115z today. But we had no copy on any of them!
So I started tuning the band and calling occasional CQs on 1827; as I
started another CQ at 1140z I heard someone calling between my signals (I
always use break-in). I paused and heard Gus KH2/K4SXT calling me! He was
449 on the Northwest (500-ft) Beverage; no copy on other antennas. I gave
Gus a brief report but when he came back he was down in the noise -- a very
short opening. No other DX heard through sunrise, but it was nice to have a
bit of life in the band.
Using break-in has often paid off and I would recommend it to all. Many a
times I have heard the band open and close on a DX stations long CQ without
any QSO resulting.
We'll be QRV at W3PP (also in Delaware) in the contest this weekend -- I'll
be 20m op but others will keep 160 warm through the weekend.
73/Jon AA1K
--
FAQ on WWW: http://www.contesting.com/topband.html
Submissions: topband@contesting.com
Administrative requests: topband-REQUEST@contesting.com
Problems: owner-topband@contesting.com
|