CQ Worldwide DX Contest, RTTY
Call: K7IA
Operator(s): K7IA
Station: K7IA
Class: SOAB HP
QTH: SW New Mexico
Operating Time (hrs): 27:37
Summary:
Band QSOs Pts State/Prov DX Zones
------------------------------------------
80: 49 55 26 4 5
40: 201 319 44 37 18
20: 556 935 53 65 22
15: 107 219 26 35 15
10: 7 19 1 4 4
------------------------------------------
Total: 920 1547 150 145 64 Total Score = 555,373
Club:
Comments:
Raw scores submitted:
Year QSOs Points Mults Tot. Score Op Time
2009 924 1683 302 508,266 26:38
2010 920 1547 359 555,373 27:37
Numerically this outing was nearly a carbon copy of last year's, but it doesn't
reflect changes in the recent equipment lineup: Three weeks before this year's
outing, the 4 el SteppIR Yagi's driven element went on the blink (for the third
time in 2.5 years), and sometime during the weekend, the linear amp decided not
to make more than 400-500 watts. No matter what the exciter power was, the max
grid current I saw was 25 ma. Output power could have been much lower, so no
complaints here.
A week ago, my neighbor and tower guru, N2IC, and his bride Kathy, supervised
lowering the SteppIR to the ground for inspection and possible repair. Alas,
the 30/40 "trombone" motor had failed mechanically and required replacement. I
elected to simplify the antenna and reduce antenna "down" time by removing the
trombone and replacing the 30/40 motor with a standard 20 meter motor.
SteppIR's support was again superb, and they shipped the needed parts to me via
2nd day air, all at no cost. But parts didn't arrive in time for pre-contest
installation (and local WX was no help, either!), so Steve loaned me a small
three element trapped tribander to get me through the weekend. I've the mods
to the SteppIR, and the next antenna party is--tomorrow!
The little tribander did a nice job, but it wasn't a 4 el SteppIR. I didn't
feel very loud, especially on 15m, which had more activity (sustained both
afternoons, too!) than I've seen in years. I kept thinking about why I don't
have a backup linear amp, because a few extra dB would have helped in the
intense 15m activity. But as I said, it could have been worse--I could have
been barefoot.
I was stunned that I did as well as last year, considering the net equipment
losses. Propagation was certainly better this year on the high bands--I had no
Q's on either 15 or 10 last year. Last year, 40 was more productive, probably
because the SteppIR's 40m rotatable dipole was installed and working (this
year's 40m antenna is the SteppIR vertical). 80m was more productive last
year, with more than twice the Qs. I recall much less noise and far more
activity on 80 last year.
It was a nice surprise to come out so well this year. Wonder what the
equipment lineup will be next year...
Thanks to CQ Magazine for supporting and orgainzing the WW events. Thanks also
to the fine digi ops who filled the bands with activity and who showed up in the
final two hours to hand out some points. And special thanks to those who didn't
give up on my sometimes peanut whistle signal on 15m!
73,
dan k7ia
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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