Stew Perry Topband Challenge
Call: W2GD
Operator(s): K2TW, N2OO, W2CG, W2GD, W2NO
Station: W2GD
Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: SNJ - FM29
Operating Time (hrs): 14
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 709 Total Score = 3,479
Club: Frankford Radio Club
Comments:
We used the Stew as another tune-up for the 2011 CQ160 CW next month since
several of our regular crew were busy with seasonal family activities. We tried
out a few antenna changes and had fun just being together.
Since the ARRL 160, the 15 year old feedlines and phasing lines for the 900' EU
phased beverage system was totally overhauled. Significant corrosion was found
in virtually every connection. On the air tests proved positive this
weekend....we felt we could hear as well as anyone again toward EU.
Logistics prevented us from having K3 radios this time, and during setup we
found the Alpha 78 on the mult station position was disfunctional. Likewise
one of the IC756ProIIs had problems with RF getting in from the rx antennas.
So an hour before our planned start, we swapped around three radios on the
desk, and pressed an old Drake L7 into service. Far from an optimum setup, but
we had to make do. Discovered a few more antenna 'issues' that need attention
over the next month.
Our plan was to operate from local sundown to local sunrise, with an hour off
when the rate dropped in the deep night period. We were hearing EU more than
an hour before our 2130 start on the repaired NE beverage. A good sign we
hoped.
Looking back now, the best conditions from FM29LL were the first two hours
following local sunset. Signals from EU were relatively loud and plentiful.
Later there was very little enhancement at EU sunrise, and conditions were
never good to the West all evening long. No VK, no ZL, no FO8, no JA. We knew
they were out there, but we couldn't hear them. The W6s were also acting
somewhat alligator like all night, maybe because of the local rain static.
Finally connected with KL7RA near sunrise - thanks Rich. Our best DX contact
turned out being UU7J worked just 2 minutes after we started.
Enjoyed listening to our TF4M contact on Thor's website (http://tf4m.com/
)earlier this evening - thanks OM!
Its clear the contest being on the same weekend as the 9A and RAC events
thinned the participant field noticeably. The calender isn't very cooperative
in 2011, so maybe we'll have to suffer this contest dilution until 2013. The
best participation seems to occur when the Stew falls on a weekend between
Christmas and New Years.
Thanks again to our WYRS-FM hosts and to everyone who called in this weekend.
Congrats to the K1LZ multi team who did the memory of W1BB proud this weekend.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
73,
John W2GD for the Team
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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