ARRL RTTY Roundup
Call: K7VC
Operator(s): K7VC
Station: K7VC
Class: M/S HP
QTH: NV
Operating Time (hrs): 24:00
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
80: 139
40: 232
20: 562
15: 241
10: 5
------------
Total: 1179 State/Prov = 56 Countries = 40 Total Score = 113,184
Club: Northern California Contest Club
Comments:
Radio: IC-7700
Amp: AL-1200
Antennas: TH11DX (10-15-20), 40-2CD (40), Gap Voyager (80)
Digi: microHAM DIGIKEYER II
Software: Writelog V10.80F, MMTTY 1.68A, Windows XP
This was my first RU and my second 24/30 go-for-maximum-score effort
(the 2010 Phone SS was my first). I ran HP Assisted for 24 hours to
squeeze out as many club points as I could. I ran probably 95% of
the time and once I found a run frequency I had little trouble
holding it. When running I relied on the MMTTY AFC to fine tune
those who called me.
I was spotted 10 times, 9 times on 20m and once on 15m. My thanks
for the spots and for all the contacts. I had my share of strange
contacts in addition to the "PLS COPY...MY NAME IS...MY QTH IS...MY
DOGS NAME IS...," but one time I had been running on the same
frequency for over two hours when this guy comes back and tells me I
am off frequency!?
My station worked fine except for a problem with MMTTY where
something kept turning AFC off in the middle of an exchange while I
was running a frequency. The MMTTY folks are aware of the problem,
but it happened just enough to throw my rhythm off several times an
hour and elicit a string of expletives from my usually calm self.
Working 4U1WR was a pleasant surprise and while I wasn't blessed with
a visit from N6QEK/VY1, OA6/OE3NHW did call me with 8 minutes left on
the clock for my final mult. I also learned a valuable lesson in how
not to screw up my log (thanks to all who responded publicly and
privately to my "Busted Exchanges" query on the NCCC reflector).
I also learned that while you can rely on adrenalin to keep you going
during the contest, you had better be prepared for the crash when it
is over. When I came back in the house my wife asked me, "Where's
the truck?" "What truck?" "The one that ran you over!" I need to
work on my stamina.
So far my introductions to contesting have led me to four general conclusions:
1. Operating solo 24/30 may sound like fun. It's not. It's work.
2. A station originally laid out for casual operating may prove to
be painfully awkward when operated 24/30.
3. Plan ahead so food/water/rest aren't afterthoughts. DUH!
4. You're never too old to screw up so badly you want to crawl under
your desk.
Thanks for everyone's patience, advice and encouragement.
Dick
--
Dick Flanagan K7VC
dick@k7vc.com
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