[3830] ARRLDX CW N7ZG SOAB LP

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                    ARRL DX Contest, CW

Call: N7ZG
Operator(s): N7ZG
Station: N7ZG

Class: SOAB LP
QTH: WWA
Operating Time (hrs): 29
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:           
   80:   32    15
   40:   50    28
   20:  339    65
   15:   85    30
   10:           
-------------------
Total:  506   138  Total Score = 208,242

Club: Western Washington DX Club

Comments:

I've been wanting to do something about my low band antenna situation for quite
some time now.  I'm on a 80x100 suburban lot.   I have a 60 foot crankup with a
3 el SteppIR and an inverted vee.  After spending quite a bit of time thinking
about my situation I decided to build a K1WA array for 40M.   I felt that this
change would impact my score (as it pertains to antennas) the most.  I followed
the instructions in the ARRL antenna book, but I made a small mod to the relay
box and controller.   I added 2 more relays and 3 addional PL-259's so that I
could also use the box to manage my other 2 antennas as well.  So, with 2 feed
lines going from my shack to this switch, I can put the K1WA on either feed
line.   This means I can use 2 out of 3 antennas at any given time.   A
commutate switch in the shack will enable swapping the feed lines between 2
radios.   So, I get a SO2R switching system for just a few bucks more.

I built the relay box, control box and 5 dipoles in time for this contest and
set it all up on Friday.   Dink, N7WA lent me his Icom 735 so that I could at
least try tuning some stations while I run JA.   I threw together as simple
headphone swithbox with 2 DPST swiches (one for each ear), so that I could put
either one or both ears on the appropriate radios.   

I didn't have enough time to get the keying interfaces worked out, but I wasn't
planning on making many Q's on the second radio.  So, I hooked up a paddle to
the 735 and let the computer key the K2/100 as normal.

The prop forecast looked like things might be a little dicey on Sunday with a
coronal hole moving into position.   I planned to hit the low bands hard the
first night and try to get some rest the second.   The contest started off well.
 I got a JA run going on 20 just fine and a few Q's in I was called by HS0ZDJ.  
After I wrung 20 out I went to 40 and found that the directional switching of
the K1WA was just fine.   The K1WA should give me about 12-14 Db of front to
back and about 4dbi of gain given my ground profile.   I was able to hear and
work more stations with fewer fills.   I've never been able to work EU on 40. 
Now I can work the tier I guys.   I went to 80M at about 9pm local and signals
seemed strong there too.   I managed to work 6V6U!   That is my best DX on 80
since I worked VK almost 2 years ago.   Condx certainly were better than
expected.  I worked quite a few CA and JA stations but couldn't get a run going
on either 40 or 80.  Late Sat afternoon while I was running JA, I managed to
work a few mults on the second radio including 6V6U, EA8ZS, and F6HKM on 40!  15
opened up late on Sun and 20 to EU kept on going like the energizer bunny.  
Perhaps it was due to the spot count dropping to 0 from about 25 the day
before.

I managed to get almost the same mult count on 40 as 15.   So all in all, I was
a fun contest and some successful station mods were implemented.   I've got a
lot to learn, especially when it comes to SO2R.  I seems like something I will
continue to pursue.

Thanks go to all the EU ops who pulled me out on 40.  :-)

73
Guy, N7ZG


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