ARRL DX Contest, SSB
Call: P40A
Operator(s): KK9A
Station: P40A
Class: SOAB LP
QTH: Aruba
Operating Time (hrs): 42
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs Mults
-------------------
160: 113 38
80: 247 52
40: 500 56
20: 1990 60
15: 2041 59
10: 875 47
-------------------
Total: 5766 312 Total Score = 5,396,976
Club: Society of Midwest Contesters
Comments:
I arrived in Aruba five days before the ARRL DX Phone contest. After making a
few emergency home repairs I was able to finally install the freestanding 160m
vertical that I started in October. I also temporarily installed a pennant for
receive and I had a fantastic time on top band before the contest. I had a
very nice pre-contest dinner with W2GD / P40W where we discussed the strategy
for this event. Unfortunately shortly before the contest, I caught a virus and
I had less energy than normal. At this point, I considered doing a single band
entry where I could get more rest, but I decided against it as doing all band
would be more fun and I already had all of the antennas up and running. The
contest started well and after the first hour I had 299 stations in my log. The
second hour produced 239 QSO's, after that the rates really tumbled for the
night. I didn't see another 200 hour until late Saturday afternoon. Saturday
morning, 15m was in good shape but the only signals that I heard on 10m were
from south America. I kept one radio on 10m while running on 15m waiting for an
opening. Finally late Saturday afternoon it opened a little to the US and I
worked 153 stations before the band died. Saturday night I started felling
really tired and with the low bands noisy and producing very few contacts for me
I took a long five hour nap. I awoke feeling refreshed, except for a throat
infection that suddenly appeared. On Sunday morning 15m and 20m were still
going strong and again I kept an ear on 10m hoping for an opening. Finally
Sunday afternoon I heard a few strong US signals on 10m. I switched bands and
I instantly had a huge pileup. 10m was in good shape and not knowing how long
the opening would last I started logging stations as quickly as possible.
During one 60 minute period I worked 344 stations, not bad for low power on a
Sunday afternoon! In less than three hours the 10m signals were weak again so I
retreated back to 15m where the rates were much better, knowing that I just
missed many needed multipliers. The throat infection worsened after the
contest and several days later I visited the Aruba hospital for some
antibiotics. I felt great when my wife arrived the following weekend. The
contest was a lot of fun and the late 10m opening really added to the
excitement. There is a new picture of my home and antennas on
http://www.qrz.com/p40a . Thanks for the many QSO's and a special thanks to
the 44 stations that worked me on all six bands. Please QSL via WD9DZV.
Radio: (2X) Yaesu FT1000MP Mark-V
Software: Writelog
Antennas:
10m 4el 18ft (5.5m) boom @ 40ft (12m)
15m 4el 24ft (7.3m) boom @ 78ft (24m)
20m 4el 36ft (11m) boom @ 71ft (22m)
40m 1 58ft element @ 60ft (18m)
80m inverted V @ 57ft (17m)
160m 52ft (15.8m) vertical
73,
John KK9A / P40A
p40a@iguanavilla.com
http://www.iguanavilla.com
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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