[3830] SS SSB N4OX Single Op HP

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                    ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB

Call: N4OX
Operator(s): N4OX
Station: N4OX

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: Florida
Operating Time (hrs): 23.6

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:     
   80:  427
   40:  396
   20:  763
   15:    3
   10:     
------------
Total: 1589  Sections = 80  Total Score = 254,240

Club: Florida Contest Group Panhandle

Comments:

Another Field Day setup.....rented 60' portable lift with new, "very used"
Hy-gain DB24B......3 elements on 20 meters and 2 elements on 40 meters with
402BA elements.....antenna was supposed to arrive on Wednesday and of course it
arrived on Friday......missing pieces parts....I had ordered 20 new plastic
insulators for the linear loading......should have ordered 40......managed to
piece the rest of the antenna together with other pieces parts I had from other
antennas I had laying around. The antenna tuned up fine on 20 meters, but 40
meters had high SWR, (no surprises considering the linear loading looked like a
slinky snake). The antenna did appear to have a pattern on 40 meters, so I used
it at times even with the high SWR. Other 40 meter antenna is a 1/4 wave
vertical. Last year I had a tuned Cushcraft XM240 which played very well. I
thought the DB24B would be a good compromise rather than dealing with two
antennas. It has promise if I can get the linear loading pieces from
Hy-Gain......I'm hoping the linear loading is the same as a 402BA, but haven't
downloaded the manual yet to check. 

This year, I just couldn't make it happen on Sunday. Last year, I would have
made the top ten if I had sent in my log.....1827 Q's by 79 sections.....this
year.....well, you see the results above.....I didn't have a beam on 15
meters....decided not to put up a yagi and I think in hindsight that was a
mistake......used the 40 meter vertical on 15 meters to make 3 contacts.....
icluding WP3R for my next to last section.......I really admire the ops who
make the top ten year after year.....It may be time to upgrade my radio from
the TS-830S I have been using since getting back on the air about 10 years ago.
I'm not if it's showing its age or the op is showing his age. 

I was hoping that 40 and 75 meters would be quiet due to the clear weather we
have had recently.....neither band was quiet and I was very surprised to make
more Q's on 75 meters. 

See ya'll next year.


73, Jay N4OX


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