ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW
Call: K5AF
Operator(s): K5AF
Station: K5AF
Class: Single Op LP
QTH: TX
Operating Time (hrs): 7
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    0
   80:   43
   40:   61
   20:  248
   15:  107
   10:    0
------------
Total:  457  Sections = 74  Total Score = 67,192
Club: 
Comments:
Great 15M conditions for the start of the contest, personal best first hour.  I
knew from the start that this would be a part-time effort, so it became a great
opportunity to shake the cobwebs off the rig, antennas and operator.  
Generally, everything was working well, but about three hours into the contest,
I noticed my number one radio was jumping in frequency as I keyed it.  I also
noticed intermittant hum on receive.  I tried to work several stations, but
often I was moving off their frequency as I sent the exchange.  Sorry about
that!  It turned out to be a loose coax barrel connector, it was made of nickle
or some other mystery metal, and was acting as a diode at times.  It caused a
mismatch and RF in the shack.  When I tightened everything down, the problem
went away.  Good lesson!
Overall, I was quite impressed by the band conditions and the activity levels. 
Missed some low-hanging fruit as far as multipliers were concerned, but was
really in it for the fun anyway.  I had hoped to try out a new antenna, but
still have to put a few finishing touches on it before the Sprint and NA. 
Thanks for the Qs.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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