ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB
Call: K1EP
Operator(s): K1EP
Station: K1RX
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: NH
Operating Time (hrs): 23.5
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160: 0
80: 311
40: 389
20: 370
15: 241
10: 0
------------
Total: 1311 Sections = 80 Total Score = 209,760
Club: Yankee Clipper Contest Club
Comments:
At the last minute I decided to do high power. I have never done a single op
contest high power before, so this was something new for me. I have done SO2R
for SS, but it is almost impossible with low power, so I figured the second
radio would be easier to use with some power. I also decided to forget about
10M and of course skip 160M. With that in mind, and the fact that I was guest
op at K1RX, a great MM station, K1RX decided to also enter SS, but with *only*
10M and 160M!. I was skeptical at first, because I never see anyone list any
160M scores for SS, at least in the years since the ARRL has listed the
breakdowns on the web. See his writeup for the contest, as I was amazed. Back
to my contest. The SO2R setup was radio 1 (IC756 Pro II) on 80M and 20M, and
radio 2 (IC 756 ProII) on 40M and 15M. Since this was a MM station, each band
had its own amp, which made tuning easy, but challenging since the amps were not
always located in the same room.
The contest started great, with a 123 hour on 20M. I soon learned that HP in SS
makes a world of difference. You can actually hold a frequency and generate
runs. The next hour dropped off from that amazing first hour (at least for me),
as I tried 15M to work some of the west coast and maybe those elusive northern
sections, i.e. VY1 and KL7. No luck there, but I maintained a decent rate, and
after the first 7 hours, I averaged 80/hr, with only a handful of sections
missing. I believe that at that time, I was missing RI, NT, KL7, VE4, and QC.
Now, RI and QC should be a piece of cake for me, but RI didn't show up until
about 1AM and QC until 5:30AM on Sunday. I think I only worked two VE2's the
entire contest and their serial numbers were very low. I know that sometimes
VE4 can be tough, at least for the east coast and I hoped that someone would be
on. Finally, about 1430Z on Sunday morning, a VE4 called me on 20M. Then of
course, five more called later in the afternoon. Then it was on for the hunt
for my usual two missing sections, KL7 and NT. I was calling CQ on 20M and
having a reasonable rate Sunday afternoon of 50+, using the occasional message
of "looking for KL7 and VY1". That produced someone who told me I was calling
CQ right on top of VY1MB. Huh? Sure enough, right above me was a pileup, but I
couldn't even hear him! Great. So I took a 30 minute break to regroup my
thoughts. I had heard a KL7 on 15M before the contest on 15M so I though I
maybe I should try there. After the short break, I first tried 20M, but the
rate was low, so I went for 15. I found a nice quiet spot high in the band and
had a decent rate. I kept calling CQ on 15M, while searching 20M stations and
checking on the pileup. I switched and I decided to call CQ on 20M and search
15M. I tried for about a half hour, still no luck. I checked the pileup and
could now hear VY1MB, but it was a zoo. At one point, I tried for about 10
minutes to bust the pileup, but I could see it wasn't going to work. I then
found a new 20M run freq and was immediately called by a KL7, nice and loud and
QRP to boot! Okay, 79 down and still had VY1 to deal with. I went to 40 to
scan the band and then back to 20 for a scan there. I found a run frequency on
20 where the pileup used to be, as VY1MB was no longer there. Soon, someone
came on and told me I had a great signal into Miami, but unfortunately, I was
close to a net and asked if I could QSY. I told him I would but he would have
to give me a point first. He was excited about that prospect and I walked him
through the exchange. As I searched the band, I found the VY1MB pileup down
low. I made my move and gave a call. Presto, I heard, "Who was the Echo Papa?"
I guess my good deed was rewarded with my last section. With a couple of hours
to go, I found another NE division HP station and chatted a little. We were
dead even on Q's and I thought I had a chance to beat him out. I went back to
dig out some more points with heightened motivation. Then I found KK1L in VT.
He was 200 Q's ahead of both of us. With less than a couple of hours to go, I
knew I couldn't manage 200Qs, even if he shut down right then! I think I lost
all my motivation at that point. Ron as usual, put in a great score from VT, as
he does every year. Something to shoot for next time! Some other random
stories from the weekend. There was some drunk guy on 80M Saturday night who
kept asking me what number I was up to now. Hope he had fun. And then there
was someone who kept sending my call on CW on 15M while I was running. What was
up with that? Thanks again for all the Q's. I know that this time, with high
power, I didn't have to give as many fills!! I still can't understand why I
have to dig out some U or B stations, while a Q station just booms in there. I
know that there were several stations that I was their first NH mult. Glad to
have been there for them.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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