CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW
Call: W7SNH
Operator(s): W7SNH N9ADG
Station: N9ADG
Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: WWA
Operating Time (hrs):
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 654 State/Prov = 54 Countries = 32 Total Score = 143,190
Club: Western Washington DX Club
Comments:
It was great to try this one as a Multi -- W7SNH joined me for this one. It was
his first time using N1MM, or *ANY* electronic logging. If you heard anything
amiss with wrong messages being sent, etc. it was him for sure. Really. (Yeah,
right!)
I think this was a good 'trainer' on the nature of 160m for him -- On the first
night, the conditions from the PNW to EU and Carribean were almost magical. I
had to explain a bunch of times that it's not usually that easy to HEAR EU
during a contest, let alone work any (they seemed to be coming in more easterly
than northerly). We worked a handful there, then some South American stations
(Op1: "Did you work the 5K?" Op2: "You mean the HK." Op1: "He was 5K when I
worked him"). JA's started pounding in (worked a bunch), then we heard 3W3W
(Check out the audio on http://www.n9adg.com/audio/3W3W.mp3), some whispers of
VR2 and 6M, but no Q.
The second night was completely different. Snow squalls, high noise levels,
lack of 'new stations' to work, etc. He had a more realistic picture after THAT
experience. Those 8 rate hours are character building for sure.
I think two teams of two each for a multi might be ideal -- one person to run,
one to coordinate mults and 'enforce' goals, with the ability to mix it up.
Folks might even get to sleep a little. Sounds like something to put together
for next year.
Things we could have done better include: Not completely stopping for dinner
(long story) on Saturday night; Having (at least) one more op; More beverage
directions, more radials. If not more ops, then maybe just more liquid
beverages.
It was great to hear a bunch of Pacific NW Ops 'stop by' for a Q; Also, Joe,
W7QN (see his 3830 posting) is modest beyond belief -- He's in retirement
housing, on the 10th floor, using a mobile antenna on his balcony, and RUNNING
on 160m. You have to admire that spirit and drive. I can only wonder what the
'real stories' of 160m are that the other 3830 writeups only hint at -- 160m is
all about making whatever you have work, and hoping that nature will favor you.
Also, sitting with someone and 'explaining' various things during the contest,
I realize that over the last five years (my first 160m Q was 03/29/03) that
even though I haven't met many 160m folks in person, I know them through 160m.
Hearing only the last two letters of a call going down the band during S&P,
using the speed, and loudness of the signal, I can guess with alarming accuracy
the letters I've missed. Recognizing those guys with the state-abbreviation
call that aren't in that state. Who to look for when I need RI or DC, or even
NFL. Muttering "There's George", or "Wonder if Tree's going to get them", or
"always good to work Jerry". I must be a little nuts to be doing this (my wife
certainly thinks so).
Thanks for 'being' 160m. Thanks for the contacts, and thanks for your
"gentleman's band" courtesy.
Brian N9ADG
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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