ARRL 160-Meter Contest
Call: N3HEE
Operator(s): N3HEE
Station: N3HEE
Class: SO Unlimited HP
QTH: MD
Operating Time (hrs): 25
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 1016 Sections = 79 Countries = 30 Total Score = 221,000
Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club
Comments:
This contest was the first real test of a years worth of station and antenna
improvements for 160 meters. I added a legal limit amplifier and a K9AY
receiving loop as well as restrung the inverted L getting the horizontal leg up
higher. The amplifier replaced my 500 watt amplifier and the K9AY loop replaced
my Hi-Z vertical array. As a result I was able to hear better than ever before.
I am also a little stronger on transmit.
My goal for this year was to beat last years score of 845/76/19. I was shooting
for 1000 Q's and 100 multipliers. I was hoping to break 200K points in a
contest for the first time ever. For me that requires putting in the time !
I started the contest with a couple of 100 Q hours which was very encouraging
and set the pace for the rest of the contest. I worked some DX early in the
evening and again later in the evening. I could pretty much work anything I
could hear. At 03Z Friday evening the flood gates opened and I went on a 129 Q
run at high rates. That was very fun ! I took a 2.5 hour break at 3AM local
time to get some sleep. I ended Saturday morning with 660 Q in the log. This
was better than last year by 40 Q's but I knew I had my work cut out for me to
get to 1000 Q's. I was pleased with the activity early Saturday evening. I
was able to keep a pretty good rate until late in the evening. I was treated
to DX stations calling me on some of my runs. I chased California mults all
Saturday night. I stayed on the air all night and was rewarded with some DX
and enough activity to push me over 1000 Q's. I worked both Hawaiian stations
and heard WL7E but could not get him in my log. That was the first time I
could hear AK on 160 meters. Thrilling ! At 6AM local time Sunday I had
enough and called it quits.
K3,TenTec Titan, Inverted L with K2AV folded counterpoise and K9AY four
direction loop.
Also note that all of my antennas live in a 50 X 90 foot space in my backyard.
I really love the challenge of working 160 on a small lot !!
Joe
N3HEE
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