[3830] SS SSB K6NA(N6ED) Single Op HP

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                    ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB

Call: K6NA
Operator(s): N6ED
Station: K6NA

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: SDG
Operating Time (hrs): 24
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    0
   80:  177
   40:  336
   20:  579
   15:  697
   10:  295
------------
Total: 2084  Sections = 80  Total Score = 333,440

Club: Southern California Contest Club

Comments:

After missing SS last year due to major illness in the family, it was nice to
again look forward to taking part in the contest.

On Sat morning, I went through my normal ritual and finally got to tuning the
bands about 20 mins before the start.  10m had virtually a handfull of stations
on it but there were some big guns blasting through.  It got me to thinking that
a 15m start might not be the best idea so the strategy changed right there.  I
got on the band and started to make some noise and soon had a big pile.  This
choice was definately right!

I got underway with a first hour of 167, followed by hours of 155, 147, 134,
135, and 100.  Needless to say getting some sleep and eating a good breakfast
were imperative this year!  (Wheaties, who needs them!!  The K6NA cafe is
KING)

I changed some of my strategy this year and it really paid off.  By the time I
went to bed, I was a full hour ahead of my previous rate in 2002.  I learned
even more this year and think there is some fine tuning that can be done for
next time as well.  

Waking up on Sunday to a major thunderstorm was not what I was dreaming of that
night but it certainly was a reality.  It rained hard for over 2 hours at
Glenn's place and I found out later it actually snowed just miles from his
place!  We had several lightning strikes in the vicinity and for the second
contest in a row at his place I have shaved off a year or two of my life!!  I
was sweating bullets but hey, aren't contesters known for letting it all hang
out?  I also found out later that Glenn slept through it!!  Thank god the 150'
lightning rods weren't utilized this weekend and I live to see another contest
:)

The downside for me this year was the last 3 hours.  I can't explain it other
than I worked EVERYONE possible.  My last 3 hours were 36, 32, and 29.  That is
almost hard to comprehend and trust me, I tried to pull out all the tricks that
Sunday requires and it just didn't get me rate.  This was by far the worst 3
hour finish I have ever experienced in SS.  Maybe we can give a "fresh meat"
award for Sunday ops?  ;-) 

In summary, this year was real gratifying to me with both performance and
enjoyment.  I had a ton of fun working all the guys, gals, and especially the
newbies.  The consistant competition between great ops like K5TR, W7WA, K7RL,
K6LL, K6LA, and others is what keeps me coming back.  One thing about SS, it's a
"learn by doing" contest and I respect the guys who have been doing it for as
long as I have been alive!  They are the guys year after year who are at the top
of the crop and believe me, it ain't easy!

CU all in the next one!
73, Craig N6ED


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