ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB
Call: VE4GV
Operator(s): VE4GV
Station: VE4GV
Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: MB
Operating Time (hrs): 15
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160:
80: 14
40: 367
20: 769
15:
10:
------------
Total: 1150 Sections = 81 Total Score = 186,300
Club: Radiosport Manitoba
Comments:
Another SS SSB during the solar minimum...blech. It USED to be my favorite
contest. Now...not so much.
I had mixed feelings going into this one. During the past few years I've gone
to Gord VE6SV's station to try to run with the big dogs HP/Assisted. The station
is up to it, but the propagation at this time of the cycle from up in Edmonton
Alberta just doesn't make you competitive even in a domestic contest. (Ask Gerry
running VY1AAA using remote
Besides my football team (the Winnipeg Blue Bombers) was in the Western Final on
Sunday and as a 57 year season ticket holder ...been going since was 5) I
couldn't pass up the opportunity to cheer on my team, which hasn't won a
championship in 27 years...in a 9 team league!!) Turns out that they didn't
disappoint and tore my heart out once again, losing in Calgary to the
Stampeders) Some things never change. But, I digress.
I decided to go single radio HP assisted. Since changing feedlines a couple of
years ago, the neighbors haven't said a peep, even when I run 1200 W. Not sure
if it was the old feedline, conversion to digital entertainment/TV/Cable/etc but
whatever it is, its allowed me to finally, consistently run HP in contests from
this QTH for the first time in over 30 yrs.
The strategy from VE4 is simple. You are a wanted commodity. Less so now with
increased contest activity thanks to the guys in Radiosport Manitoba. Park
yourself on 20 and let everyone know that VE4 mult is ready and willing. Work em
fast and don't keep people waiting.
First hour - 20 m- 124...not bad...could be better
2nd hour - 20 m- 111
3rd hour - 20 starts to get slow as sun goes down, move to 40 - 90 rate ...56
of which are on 40
4th hour - 40 m- 84
5th hour...WHO TURNED OFF THE SWITCH???!!. - a 15 QSO hour on 40.....this
early???? Are you shitting me? I leave for 30 minutes to compose myself.
6th hour - 3 QSOs on 40 and 8 on 80.....an 11 QSO hour. Its over ....already.
Shut the rig off...binge watch last season of "House of Cards".
Check band at 0800 - make 1 QSO on 80. Good night.
Wake up and have a decent 77 QSO hour on 40 at 1800
Go back to 20 from 1700 to 2100 and average around 80 Q/s hr. next
One last hour of 66 qs on 40 at 2300 and then S&P for the last 3 hours .
Ugh.
Observations:
LOTS of multiop stations...good to see...I think. Could be either that (a)
contest community is aging and they can't do the whole test anymore (b) more
clubs springing up to train younger hams. I hope its (b)
A decent number of 18 ck years. No matter what the rate...I make a point of
welcoming each person to SS... who gave me an 18 ck , thanking them for
participating and encouraging them to participate next year.
NO one lives in ND. No one. It's next door but I never work em. Listen on 40,
80, assisted....doesn't matter. They live underground.
They need to combine SD and ND into one state. I swear its enough to make me go
down there and operate myself, just to radiate a signal in SS.
Same goes for VE5. But I would never want to go there.
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