ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW
Call: KU6J
Operator(s): KU6J
Station: KU6J
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: SV
Operating Time (hrs): 19
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160: 0
80: 74
40: 76
20: 236
15: 167
10: 132
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Total: 685 Sections = 79 Total Score = 108,230
Club: Northern California Contest Club
Comments:
The contest began with an explosion: an explosion of noise. I couldn't believe
what I was hearing. With the 500 Hz CW filter engaged, I measured the following
noise levels:
15m - S7
20m - S8.5
40m - S9 + 5 dB
80m - S9 + 20 dB
Ouch. I've had occasional power line noise, but nothing like this. I've never
heard noise this strong. As the contest began, I had the XYL throw all the
breakers one by one, but nothing made it go away. It wasn't in the house. I
grabbed my Aircraft band HT (VHF AM) and took a quick walk outside. It was
coming from the power line, with the noise peak at the pole in front of my
house. Oh well, looks like I'll only S&P the really strong stations! The noise
hung in there all of Saturday until finally, late that night after the temp
dropped into the 20's, it stopped. But by the time I went to bed, I was 100 Q's
behind my normal peanut-whistle rate. Doughhhhh!!
I awoke Sunday and found no noise. I crossed fingers, crossed toes, knocked on
wood, tossed salt over shoulder, etc. PLEASE Mr. Noise, stay away! It did, and
I managed to salvage part of my loss from the previous day, finishing only 6 Q's
behind last year's total. I was hoping for 750 Q's, but it wasn't to be. I
guess I'll have to make an extra effort during the Phone weekend.
Best moment: breaking the VY1JA pile-up on the first call. I was S&P-ing up 10m
on Sunday, found a big pile on 28.016, and there was J underneath. I thought
"Hmmm... Doesn't J like to split up when things get hectic?" Tuned up 1 kC and
there was an even bigger pile. I listened and heard someone sending J an
exchange. I zero-ed the guy, slid down 100 Hz for a bit of tonal separation,
entered the split, and made my first call. Wham, got 'em! The peanut-whistle
is in and out in less than a minute.
I guess the old axiom still holds true: listen first, THEN transmit.
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