[3830] ARRL June VHF K9PW Single Op Port QRP

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                    ARRL June VHF QSO Party

Call: K9PW
Operator(s): K9PW
Station: K9PW

Class: Single Op Port QRP
QTH: EN52sa
Operating Time (hrs): 31
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
    6:  161    62
    2:  164    40
  222:   56    29
  432:   71    17
  903:   16    11
  1.2:           
  2.3:           
  3.4:           
  5.7:           
  10G:    6     5
  24G:    0     0
-------------------
Total:  510   189  Total Score = 145,908

Club: Society of Midwest Contesters

Comments:

Was hoping for 6 meter conditions like in '87.  It was just the opposite.  As
others have noted, 6 meters was not that good.  Only had a few openings
including to the SE at the start and to the NW (VE5-7, W7) near the end.  

Meteors seemed good on 6 meters.  Even with 10 watts, I was able to complete 3-4
meteor scatter contacts using SSB.  It could have been more except that the
operating ability of many of the stations was lacking, even for some of the
"big-time" stations.  We all need to review the meteor scatter procedures so
that we can take advantage of those short signal bursts (usually lasting only a
few seconds).  Or perhaps we need to get more sleep so that we can be alert! 
Looking back, I should have tried WSJT.  

144 & 222 had some nice enhancements starting soon after the beginning of the
contest.  Conditions to the east improved thru most of the evening.  Best DX on
these two bands was CW with AA2UK (FM29) at 740 miles.  Sunday's conditions were
slightly enhanced but not like Saturday evening.  Activity in Chicago and east
was spread out nicely over plus & minus 40 kHz from 144.200.  Too bad stations
further west and south can't do the same.

Had antenna problems with 432, so no good DX.  My first significant equipment
problem in over 10 years.  Probably cost me 20-30 QSO's and a dozen grids.  

Microwaves conditions seemed typical.  8-9 band QSOs were completed with K2YAZ
(230 miles) and WW8M (225 miles).  I still get a thrill completing these
contacts.  They are right at the limit, a few dB less signal would make it
impossible.  Really missed the multiband microwave rovers of the late '90s.  So
microwave totals were down.

The tropo enhancements didn't make up for the poor 6 meter conditions and lack
of microwave rovers.  So this ends up the lowest score of my 3 attempts at
QRP-portable.  But, it should be enough for a new June record.

Great weather & no bugs made setup and tear-down easy this year.  Here's the
equipment list:

  50 MHz FT726 (#1)          10W  4 el @ 30'
 144 MHz FT726 (#2)          10W 19 el @ 25'
 222 MHz TS820+conv          10W 18 el @ 20'
 432 MHz FT726 (#2)          10W 30 el @ 22'
 903 MHz FT726 (#1)+ no tune 10W 33 el @ 13'
 1.3 GHz FT726 (#1)+ no tune 10W 55 el @ 13'
 2.3 GHz FT726 (#1)+ no tune 10W 3' dish @ 10'
 3.4 GHz FT726 (#1)+ no tune 10W 3' dish @ 10'
 5.7 GHz FT726 (#1)+ no tune  5W 3' dish @ 10'
  10 GHz FT726 (#2)+ HB conv  3W 2' dish @ 8'

AC power: 2.4kW generator.
"Shelter": Pop-up camper.

Looking forward to operating from the east coast (NC1I) in September.  I'll try
to bring the good conditions again like last year!


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