[3830] NA Sprint CW WW2Y LP

[webform@b4h.net]

                    NA Sprint CW Contest

Call: WW2Y
Operator(s): WW2Y
Station: WW2Y

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: NE
Operating Time (hrs): 4

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Op Time
---------------------
   80:   68    1 hr
   40:  122    2 hr
   20:   44    1 hr
---------------------
Total:  234    Mults = 41  Total Score = 9,828

Club: Frankford Radio Club

Team: PVRC/FRC #2

Comments:

Equipment used: FT-1000D
Software: K1EA CT vesrion 10.002.008. It worked flawlessly for the sprint! It
knew where to send your call in the exchange during the couplet sequence. Nicely
done Ken.

Antennas: 80-  160m inverted L 50 ft high fed by a tuner with 300 ohm line.
          40-   Dipole at 35 ft
          20-   Dipole at 35 ft 

The bands were in terrible shape for several days leading up to the sprint due
to several "X" class soalr flares and I knew it was going to be a tough contest
operating with LP and wires from a small lot. To complicate matters, our
neighbors went away for the weekend and they turned on the alarm system which
caused S9 interference on 40m. It was present on 20m as well, but not as bad.
Then I became quite discouraged and thought about scrapping the effort. After
about a hour of pacing around and thinking what to do next, I realized that I
brought a JPS ANC 4 noise canceller along with the move and decided to hook it
up to give it a try. I used the 20m antenna as a noise sense antenna and I was
able to null out the interfernce quite well. I'm sure that I placed a null in a
desirable receiving direction that could have made some stations weaker to hear,
well that's the tradeoff. Also, I added a switch and a couple of patch cables to
the system so I can make band changes easier with the ANC 4
in place.
 This was my first effort from the midwest and I didn't have the sense for what
to expect from out here. I turned on the radio 20 minutes before the start and
noticed the east coast stations were coming through very well on 20m. I gave
N2NC in NJ a call for a pre contest qso and he said I was coming though nicely.
I was getting psyched thinking that the conditions would hold up. 20m was very
slow for me at the start and the east coast stations quickly disappeared within
10 minutes or so, I managed to make only 5 qsos with them. Also, I had trouble
with stations beating me out when I called for a particular station for a
couplet. At 0045z, I've only made 40 qsos and I decided to give 40 a try.
Finally, I began to have fun getting answers and the rate went up as the result.
At one point I worked Bruce, AA5B in NM who was running a similar setup had the
same qso count as I did, I thought I was doing okay. I stayed on 40m until 0235z
and I went back to 20m for 10 minutes to pick up some stations from the south
and west. Then I moved back to 40m for a few more qsos before switching to 80 at
0250z. To my amazement, I was able to work stuff fairly easily and quickly there
since I wasn't using an ideal antenna for that band. Many of the signals on 80
were fluttery and I knew the solar disturbance was still in progress. My goal of
breaking 200 qsos was finally realized, but I worked AA5B again who had gained
quite a bit ground on me.
I had a great time in this contest and I can't wait for Sweepstakes. 

Peter


Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/