ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW
Call: W0UA
Operator(s): W0UA
Station: K0RF
Class: Single Op HP
QTH: CO
Operating Time (hrs): 24
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160:
80: 153
40: 619
20: 457
15: 17
10:
------------
Total: 1246 Sections = 83 Total Score = 206,836
Club:
Comments:
I’ve had the privilege to operate this contest from K0RF for…how many years?
LOTS of years! But, I had the gnawing presentiment that this might be one year
too many. Illness & just plain age have taken their toll, especially in the
stamina department. My interest & activity levels are down. With a couple
of other big-ticket distractions going here as well, I came into this one
unprepared, unpracticed & with a large helping of self-doubt. Can I still
do this at all & perform at least reasonably well? Can I validate the time
& effort Chuck took to set-up his station for me? Finally, I just fell-back
on my first rule of contesting: Do the best you can. With what you have. From
where you are.
Aaand the answer is: YES. I got through it about as normal. The bad news
is…it was not a great operating performance & physically, it did just hurt
like hell! It’s Tuesday at 2:30 AM now (CLL meds have made toast of my
sleep-cycle), and it STILL just hurts like hell (laughing). Howard Cosell
always referred to punch-drunk fighters as being on ‘Queer Street.’ It
didn’t take long for me to find that neighborhood. Without a Google Map…
I started the ‘run’ side on 20…and, I just plain couldn’t get answers
for the first half-hour! Hello, 2nd radio? Finally, things settled-in & it
was business-as-usual. But, I’d like to re-RUN that first half-hour again
with some, ummm, CALLERS?
So many big 5’s on—and, they were cookin’. Almost impossible to beat a
big 5 in anything from here. Those big 5’s are a scary lot, big stations,
great ops. What does a guy do about that? Tip your hat to their excellence,
that’s what!
BTW, as I’m basically a traditionalist, I nonetheless think it’s time for
some changes to this contest. Too many hours, not enough clientele. Shorten it
up, have it start & especially END at sensible times. I do intend to
propose this. We’ll see if it gets any traction…
So, did I really get called by VI Sunday afternoon for the Sweep? It seems we
have a little mystery about this? The same station called me last year…and,
that multiplier was REMOVED from my log, costing me a Top Ten spot. That had a
lot to do with my deciding to do this one despite my doubts. An opportunity to
leave the playing-field with some honor, if it must be so. Now, I know what was
sent & what I copied. And, I have reason to hope more than ever that it’s
the real deal. Film at 11?
Chuck had the single-op corner set-up perfectly & it worked flawlessly. He
took care of me like I was in intensive care, LOL. Up at all hours to check-up
on me, bringing me food, words of encouragement (several required).
Cold-hearted little German that I am, I don’t get all touch-feely about loving
people. But Chuck? The big brother I never had…what a blessing in my life.
OK, now I have a whole year again to forget just how painful this is. I’ll
keep taking my life-saving meds with their annoying little side-effects. I’ll
be another year older, smellier, ‘tireder’ & less competent. And…I
WILL SEE YOU THERE!
Geo
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
______________________________________________
3830 mailing list
3830@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/3830
|