North America QSO Party - CW
Call: W6XR
Operator(s): W6XR
Station: W6XR
Class: SOAB LP
QTH: New York
Operating Time (hrs): 6
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs Mults
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160: 73 33
80: 107 36
40: 142 37
20: 58 29
15: 61 29
10: 53 20
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Total: 494 184 = 90,896
Club/Team: FRC
Comments:
I've never really played in the NAQP before but stumbled upon the activity late
Sat. afternoon while looking for DX on 15 meters. Quickly fired up WriteLog
and went to a website to read the rules. I liked what I read as no amps were
allowed and since Mr. Alphy was visiting Mother Alpha in Colorado, I would not
miss the extra controls to fiddle with. It sure is quiet without blower noise
in the shack!
Started out on the high bands and heard a hesitation when I sent my QTH as WNY.
Sensing I had screwed up, I referred to the rules and corrected the QTH to be
NY in most of the memories. It wasn't until late in the contest I realized one
of the memories still had WNY in it, The reason I never caught this
transgression is I had the audio latch option "on" which diverted audio from
the unused radio to my headset while transmitting. Please, my profuse
apologies to all who copied WNY instead of NY.
About 6:30 PM, my wife Nancy walks into the shack with a home made New Orleans
Muffaletta Sandwich, home made potato salad (world famous in Ithaca) and a
bottle of perfectly chilled California Chablis. She tells me she forgot to
tell me she had a meeting that night and felt bad about it as she would be away
most of the evening. Well, I realized that I should extend my heartfelt
understanding as we really do try to keep each other informed if an activity
does not involve both of us. So we both enjoyed the chopped olives, olive oil,
garlic, and fresh slices of salami and proscutto on a freshly baked roll, and a
glass or two of wine. I took off my headphones and we enjoyed a Kodak moment
with our fine repast while I expressed my appreciation of the meeting she was
about to attend. Nancy left and I immediately grabbed Sadie D. Dachshund Dogge
and brought her into the shack so she could assume the proper contest position
on my lap.
Since there was a bit of wine left, I poured a final glass which was
immediately consumed by Sadie as I got busy playing contest. In between
calling CQ and doing the needed S & P, I kept an eye on Sadie as I had no idea
how she liked Chablis. It turned out she was happy to sleep it off.
The bands sounded fine and I felt good with a bit of consumed vino and an
epicurean creation literally under the belt. Rates were fair but I had no
desire to push for more Q's or higher rates as I became intoxicated by the
serenity of the evening. The dog was asleep, my wife was away and the number
one son Josh was busy playing Sub Space (whatever that is.) The proficiency of
the ops was outstanding and there were no frequency fights! Little or no
atmospheric noise and no noise inside the shack --- just the noise in the
ProSet and nothing else. This was one of those moments why I realized I've
been doing this masochistic endeavor of contesting for 35 years! The moments
of Sat. evening were almost a surreal experience as I could not think of a way
things could get any better. It seemed no more than, but always at least, two
people answered my CQ's and every time I called on the second radio, the
response was immediate. This was fun! Never did I push myself or my dwindling
capabilities, but I rather took the time to enjoy the moment.
The moving from one band to another went well and working OM Veto on 160 with
ease after the Q's on other bands was a non event. This is a great contest
activity and I thank the sponsors!
I apologize to those who had to wait while I struggled with the keyboard AND to
those who I called with the antenna pointed the wrong way (remember the
Chablis?) Thanks to all the great ops and to those who were also new to the
contest.
Regards,
Natan W6XR
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