ARRL June VHF QSO Party
Call: AA8IA
Operator(s): AA8IA
Station: AA8IA
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: EN90QL East ohio
Operating Time (hrs): 13:16
Summary:
Band QSOs Mults
-------------------
6: 172 91
2: 4 3
222:
432:
903:
1.2:
2.3:
3.4:
5.7:
10G:
24G:
-------------------
Total: 176 94 Total Score = 16,544
Club: Mad River Radio Club
Comments:
This was my second year operating this contest [in total mediocrity I might
add]. Last year I used a 40-10m parallel dipole up 25 feet on 6m. This year,
at the last minute, I put up a 6m Moxon and rotated it by hand, which is always
fun if you're inside and the mast is outside. I must have rotated the damned
thing 30 times.
I had a Diamond X300 dual-band vertical up for 2m/70cm. A note to others --
don't bring a vertical to a VHF contest no matter what others tell you.
As usual, I really can't summarize what went on from start to finish. It's a
blur. Rest assured there were some notable moments for me though. After 6m
activity dwindled Saturday I took down the Moxon and put up the 2m vertical.
I barely heard K2LIM on 2m late Saturday night and the op actually heard me.
It took many exchanges to complete the Q. I was shocked [and appreciate] that
he didn't give up on me. I don't know who the actual op was, but he's A1 in my
book. I heard a handful of other stations on 2m around the same time and
worked the ones i could [which were in my grid square]. I heard K8GP and a K1
but didn't even bother.
Saturday on 6m was great. I was glad to get T48K and VP2/K8LEE. I only
worked 3 VEs, and only heard one other VE during the whole contest period.
For giggles, on Sunday morning [after i swapped 2m ant for 6m ant] I rotated
the Moxon towards New England, and lo and behold I picked up 8 or so new grid
squares from the W1/W2s. That was a real treat, and I really appreciate those
guys being there because just prior to that I was ready to shut down and find
something else to do with the rest of my Sunday.
I made it across to the West Coast on both days, although Saturday evening was
better for that. The south was booming in Saturday and noticably absent most
of Sunday.
I won't operate another VHF contest without at least a 2m horizontal gain
antenna. My head was swimming with ideas while lying in bed Saturday night,
trying to think if I could cobble together a quagi early Sunday morning. But
when I woke up my heart wasn't in it.
Time spent is what was reported by N1MM. In reality, I spent many more hours
in this contest S&Ping and CQing into the great abyss for periods of time.
Thanks to all the ops that made for a really fun time. Next year I plan to be
better prepared, and damnit one day I'm going to work some FM/FN guys on
6m/2m/440!
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
______________________________________________
3830 mailing list
3830@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/3830
|