California QSO Party - 2019
Call: W6MY
Operator(s): W6MY K6DAJ
Station: W6MY
Class: M/SFixed HP
QTH: Sierra County
Operating Time (hrs): 23:50
Summary:
Band CW Qs Ph Qs
--------------------
160:
80: 195 49
40: 343 104
20: 449 364
15: 32 0
10:
6:
2:
--------------------
Total: 1019 517 Mults = 58 Total Score = 237,278
Club: Northern California Contest Club
Comments:
California is incredibly diverse in terms of nature, culture, and population
density. One of the best things about the CQP is that it gives an excuse to
visit and explore new parts of the state, make new friends, and Run Run Run
('till your daddy takes the TX away.) This year I consulted with N6DE suggested
I team up with Chip W6MY, who has put together a remarkable station near Nevada
City. A 3 1/2 hour drive from my home, I knew I was getting close when the road
ascended into the Tahoe National Forest, in the lower elevations of the Sierra
Nevadas. Shortly after passing the county line, I saw a sign that said "HAM
RADIO OPERATOR DR" and knew I was in the right place.
The station itself is inside a military communications trailer from "Desert
Storm." The antennas includes a 2-el 40 m. optibeam and a 4-el Steppir, as
well as an OCF dipole strung between two of the many 100 foot trees. There is
also a small living trailer, where recently a bear ripped a whole in the door.
Luckily, the natural world behaved itself during the CQP. The weather was cool
and beautiful, and the wildlife was limited to numerous Monarch butterflies
migrating through and a large flock of Sandhill Cranes that flew overhead.
The goals of our Sierra County activation were:
1. Have a blast
2. Make Sierra County easily available on both CW and phone
3. Blow away the existing new M/S record
4. Mentoring
Regarding the last goal, it went in both directions, with Chip sharing his
extensive knowledge of station building, while I helped with contesting tips and
N1MM+, as this was the first serious contest effort both for Chip personally and
for his station.
As for operating, Chip did most of the SSB and I did all of the CW. We were
strictly "MO1R" (multi-op, one radio) and were often both at the radio
at the same time listening in with a headphone Y connector. For the first 8
hours, we followed the "CW on the half hour" suggestion, alternating
modes and operator every half hour. 15m was poor, so mostly 20. After the 40m
fire hose opened up around 0000z, we decided to dedicate 2 hours to CW and then
alternate in a more ad hoc way, favoring CW, which seemed to be giving better
rates. We went to 80m at the first suggested time. As we had no 160 capability,
we stayed there until 0630z, then decided to get some sleep (I started the
contest with only a half night sleep and wasn't up for the all-nighter.)
Back on the air at 1200z, I did some 80, then 40, then moved to 20 at dawn, when
Chip joined me and we resumed our half hour alternation. After some anemic 15m
with a lot of noise, the rest of the contest was spent on 20, with some forays
into 40 SSB. The QSB on 20m for the last 3 hours was extreme, necessitating
repeats.
Great to see many quite loud EU stations calling in on CW on both 20 and 40,
with many Germans, Swedes and Italians, as well as a few others, including an
Israeli Sunday morning. With the exception of 80m, W6s were mostly unworkable or
only via ESP...tried switching to the dipole and turning the yagi to no avail.
In CW, "SIER" is nearly all "dits," which caused confusion
for some.
It was great to work many familiar calls and friends.
Thanks to Margo and Chip for their hospitality.
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