ARRL 160-Meter Contest
Call: KD2MX
Operator(s): KD2MX
Station: KD2MX
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: Oakland, NJ
Operating Time (hrs): 9.5
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 192 Sections = 46 Countries = 0 Total Score = 17,664
Club:
Comments:
Conditions were horrendous at contest start-time. Spring-like temperatures in
the 70s here in NJ and an approaching squall line created ear-numbing noise. I
had planned to operate qrp but when I could barely make a qso with CT, I decided
that qrp might be an exercise in great frustration this weekend. After
listening a few minutes, I went to dinner and came back later in the evening
when the noise had died down a bit.
This is my second season on 160m. I had good success last year running mostly
qrp, which I was forced into by rfi problems. I still managed to work 37
states using just a longwire. I put up a ~600' loop this fall and it solved my
rfi trouble. No longer does the microwave go berserk when I run full power
(100w).
I had a tougher time this weekend working west of the Mississippi with 100w
than I did last year with 5w. Conditions on Saturday night were better than
Friday but still noisy, and most stations were pretty weak. I did manage a few
new states though, but it wasn't easy.
I only worked a hour here and there, grabbing a couple hours sleep, then
getting in some early morning work before catching some more sleep. Not great
for the qso total but there's less competition at 3am and you don't get too
screwed up.
Nothing too exciting to report. I was hoping for AK...lots of luck right? I
was spoiled last weeked in the CQWW when I worked NH6 on one call on 160. That
was a thrill, even though I felt like I was cheating running 100w. With that, I
figured WAS on 160 is possible with low-power and a simple wire antenna.
The strangest thing this weekend was hearing W6WA here at about 0830 at S9
calling CQ and he not hearing not only me, but anybody else for that matter.
Maybe he fell asleep at the wheel with the cq machine running.
Here's hoping for better condx for Stu Pery and CQ160.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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