WAE DX Contest, CW
Call: K4JA
Operator(s): K9GY
Station: K4JA
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: Callao, VA
Operating Time (hrs): 36
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs QTCs Mults
-------------------------
80: 150 30 33
40: 367 470 38
20: 489 499 49
15: 483 508 44
10: 20 0 12
-------------------------
Total: 1509 1507 176 Total Score = 1,374,840
Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club
Comments:
First time over 1 million in this contest...COOL!
I utilized the SO2R setup better this year but could still be more
productive with it. Now I know why I do multi-ops...are you tired? Hah!
At the start of the first break at Day1-0719z was at 439-370-88-210,340
set the alarm for 0945z and went to bed...wow major dreams during that
snooze! Ended up waking up naturally to look out the window and see LIGHT!
Uh oh! Alarm got messed up (or was it the operator at 3am local).
Limited damage though since I started back at 1042z and sunrise
was 1017z. Whew, dodged a bullet on that one. Next comes the long stretch
from 1042z through 06z. Ended 06z with 1,221-1,210-158-1,020,600 but this
time decided to use a different alarm clock, hah, one that I know works
right and has two alarms in one clock. Started back up at 10z this time
with the alarm waking up a tired op, more rest please! Finished out the
last part until 1920z. Kept the QTCs up with the QSOs and that worked
well except when I gave out 1 or 2 groups people naturally wanted more
and I didn't have them.
Low bands were better the first night. Lots of QRN the second night.
I used K3ZO's advice and opened up the filters and that sure helped copy.
Many thanks to Fred for that suggestion a couple years ago to me
after my first WAE CW from his place.
The setup for SO2R is a lot easier than the four stn M/S we usually do
so that was nice. Although we had a major crisis around 18/19z before the
contest started. But all was resolved by Paul and Bruce W3BP while I
caught a nap before the contest began. Sure is nice when there are TWO
people in the maintenance crew! They do a wonderful job of fixing all
the stuff we break before the next big event.
Now I just need to convince the WL person that the first two digits of the
time in QTC do not have to be sent if they are the same as the line before.
Maybe that is the next area my score can improve from?
I could not understand when I asked for "NR?" people would also send the
"5NN" with it...Geez that is confusing under marginal conditions! Just
send the number. Heck almost 99.9% of the reports send 5NN anyways.
One occasion this happened on 10m or 80m and the number was 594...ugly!
Not sure what I might do if they take the packet out of the SO category.
Heck that is part of the enjoyment.
I loved the ability to be able to QSY without 10 min wait.
That was a ton of fun...well except for the sleep withdrawal!
A big "thank you" to Paul and Betsy for letting me operate.
Of course now that I can actually go to sleep I am waking up!
It will be an early drive back to Norfolk tomorrow a.m.
and then onward to IL.
K4JA will be defending it's #1 NA M/O WAE SSB 2001 plaque in Sept.
See you then. I am sure it will be a blast.
CQ CONTEST!
73, Eric K9GY
And now back to reality...
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