ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB
Call: N6WM
Operator(s): N6WM N6NU
Station: K6LRG
Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: Livermore, CA
Operating Time (hrs): 23:45
Remote Operation
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160:
80: 126
40: 299
20: 592
15: 81
10:
------------
Total: 1098 Sections = 83 Total Score = 182,268
Club: Pizza Lovers 259
Comments:
First I want to congratulate everyone in PL-259 for their various efforts on all
levels. The level of commitment is unmatched by any contest club I participate
in. This is an amazing group of operators.
As for our effort this year, remote control of a hilltop station has its
obvious advantages as well as some distinct disadvantages. It also introduces
elements of Murphy that are very unique to a remote configuration. This
contest was a perfect example of both Murphys law, as well as persistence and
determination to follow through for the team. Last year team N6WM won the
pacific division in this contest. But it was operated on site at K6LRG. This
year was the first time we did the SSB portion of this contest remotely with
mixed results.
Band conditions: I personally found 15 meters anemic but somewhat OK. Our low
numbers were due to an internet failure in the starting hours of the contest.
I dont think we were alone in thinking many were avoiding 15. With 10m
gonnered and 15m limited participation the entire contest rapidly crowded
itself into the 20 and 40 meter bands, both of which were in relatively good
shape but packed. It took a lot of persistence to find a perch on these bands.
Fierce QRG defense was needed.
Antennas: The K6LRG antennas are configured for low angle International DX so
as the band conditions worsen with the waning solar cycle, we are not getting
as much domestic contesting bonus as in the last several years. My old
reliable W6NL modified 4L on 20 was our workhorse for this contest. All
monoband radiators were operational, but not so great domestically.
Hardware: Expert 2kfa is our new remote workhorse. This amp is really working
well and its remote panel is FB! Also set up a couple of 403a Ant.
genious(overkill.. i know) to bring in a transmatch for 75m ssb as needed with
a mouse click. We are continuing our conversion to Flex at K6LRG
technical issues (remote) and weather: I have done many remote contests from
K6LRG but most on RTTY and CW. The hilltop is fed by a 45 mbit Microwave hop
and then another hop to the hilltop. With years of drought there have been
relatively few weather events to deal with. Unfortunately Murphy showed up
with a perfectly timed storm(prior to the remote this would have put us out of
business), not so bad on ground level but caused hilltop issues for us in the
start of the contest. Our remote link went down a number of times during the
first 1.5 hours of the contest essentially killing my run on 15m repeatedly. I
suspect rain fade and or wind causing dish alignment interruptions in one or
both of the hops to K6LRG. We sort of got back on our feet during 20 and 40
meter operations, but again experienced outages during prime Saturday 80 meter
time. Net result, we were way behind going into Sunday AM.
On Sunday with the internet link stablized, we were able to continue the
contest and achieve nearly 1100 qso's via iron man BIC and persistence, a great
feat by our 2 man team. I was pleased to be able to get some traction with a
solid link.
Remote control point: N6NU and his wife Sandra are outstanding and generous
hosts and I really appreciate working with Andreas, we both work in Operations
in the Computer industry and know how to push through technically challenging
situations to deliver a result. Food was way better than camping conditions
at K6LRG. Andreas' shack was comfortable and warm and represents the best
advantage of being remote rather than onsite.
Overall: We had lots of fun, and pushing through like a bulldog in the face of
adversity is one of the fun parts of contesting(after the fact of course). It
was by no means even close to our best result, but it was the best we could
produce given the set of circumstances. Those who know me are aware that I am
Fiercely competitive and both N6NU and I were 100% committed to producing the
best club result we could. I am proud of our effort.
Sweep: Swept. pretty quick. Lots of NT/MAR etc. stations. got called by
Santa Barbara and Caribbean stations were relatively easy to find.
Thanks to W6OAT and K6TU for co-ordination, and to the entire Pizza Loving team
for your dedication and commitment. We had a good time.
Listen for Team N6WM@N6RO as I sponsor the Multi-op team effort at Radio Oakley
next weekend in CQWW CW.
73 and seeya next time
Chris
N6WM
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