Preliminary results here from N1TX
Class: Multiop (N1TX, AF1T, WA1VKO)
Power: B
Section: NH
QSOs: 1049
Dupes: 5
Valid: 1044 x 79 sections = 164,952 final score
Xcvr: Kenwood TS-820
Linear: Heathkit
Antennas
10, 15, 20m: KLM-KT34A
40m: Pair of phased verticals
80: Dipole at 40 feet
We had a blast operating N1TX from the QTH of Dale AF1T atop Craney Hill
in Henniker (NH). Our main goal was a clean sweep. Secondary and
tertiary goals were to make 1000 QSOs and break 100,000 points.
When Dale and I began talking about Sweeps in September, I offered to
loan him the use of my KLM KT-34A tribander, which has been in dire need
of a good location for years. It seemed a simpler solution to putting up
the several mono-banders he had already. The work began in October
cutting trees to put up a 40-foot tower. Then it was very tedious work
over several weeks putting the darned antenna together, but we finally
got it up just as dark fell Sat afternoon. It was tough going not made
any easier by the foot of snow on the ground. It worked beautifully,
though, so it was worth the effort. We left the rotor work until Sunday
morning, and tied off the tribander towards the NW. Took about an hour
and a half to finally get the rotor situation sorted out Sunday. By noon
we were 100% operational.
We did pretty well. The clean sweep was touch and go for a while, mainly
worrying about Yukon and KL7. Got VY1JA after some perseverance, and
then we heard KL7Y with S9 just before the spot showed up on packet.
Huge pileup, and they were disorderly, so he went QRT. An hour later we
found KL7HFQ who was having trouble working the pileup, and he was weak
and getting weaker. No joy. The window was closing. We found another guy
even weaker, so we went back and just waited out HFQ. Finally made
contact after about 45 minutes in the pileup. That was the toughest
one. KL7Y showed up again, and we worked him for good measure. Finally
snagged VO1MP on 20m about an hour after sunset. We ended up working
several more NL stations on 40 and 80m later in the evening, just as we
predicted.
All told, we had about 15 hours on. Results were 1044 QSOs (plus 5
dupes). 165k points. I'm extremely happy with the results. Basically, I
did most of the computer logging and only a few hours of operating. Dale
AF1T has vision troubles and can't use computers. His tenacity in the
pileups paid off. Murph WA1VKO was unfamiliar with the program, and it
was hard for him to keep up typing. However, he is an aweome operator.
We were using a pair of 40m verticals, and past Field Days have shown
how great these are for DX. Trouble was the wall of W8, 9, and 0
stations between us and the West Coast. Still, we worked KH6, KH7, and
KH8 all on 40m during the wee hours of Sunday morning. Nothing special
DX-wise on 80m except a few contacts in the northwest using the dipole.
Noise conditions were very good, however.
Best QSO: K6III (Jerry)
Best call worked: K9ARF
73 Larry
--
N1TX (ex-NA5E, G0CQW) ARRL Technical Specialist
Terrestrial packet: WA1WOK.FN43FE.NH.USA.NOAM
Make sure you visit http://www.delphi.com/electronic
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