[3830] TBDC W4ZV Single Op HP

[webform@b4h.net]

                    Stew Perry Topband Challenge

Call: W4ZV
Operator(s): W4ZV
Station: W4ZV

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: EM95
Operating Time (hrs): 13.5

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 611  Total Score = 2,581

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

I thought conditions were very strange since it seemed my Beverages were working
OK but my vertical TX array was not getting out at all toward EU.  Very few
called me and I often had to switch to my inverted-V to call those I heard.  I
just thought it was some sort of wierd high angle propagation, which we've had a
lot of recently.

Later I discovered what was really happening!  My 3-el parasitic vertical TX
antenna can be beamed in 4 directions but is not electrically switchable.  I
normally set it NE and then go outside to switch it NW after EU has faded out. 
My inverted-V is usually sufficient to work stations in other directions so
manually changing array directions once a night is not a problem.  When I went
out to switch it NW at 0745z, I was startled to discover it was already beamed
to the NW!  No wonder few EU were calling me and I was getting so many calls
from the West.  I switched it and promptly had about 10 EU call before the band
went out in that direction.  Oh well...I won't make that mistake again!  :-)  

To top it off, I drove our church bus at 9 AM, narrated our Christmas Cantata at
10:30 AM and was usher for my XYL's chorale concert at 3 PM...all after only 2
hours of sleep.  No wonder this felt more like a 48 hour contest!

73,  Bill  W4ZV


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