[3830] CQ160 CW N4XD SO, HP

[RonSpencer]

Call: N4XD
Op: N4XD
SO,HP
QTH: Pittsboro, NC

Summary:
Q: 976
56 state/ VE
48 countries
3222 points
335, 088 total

Club: PVRC

Soapbox:
Operating as usual from my 2nd qth (where I am building a house). Had a
number of problems all of which I fixed but all took operating time away.
First, wasn't keying amp with computer (fine with key) so had to stop and
reconfigure the microkeyer interface. Then receive on transmit antenna
seemed down. Traced to bad QSK-5 box. Removed it from line. Later beverages
seemed to have lots of noise on them no matter direction. Took LOTS of time
to figure that one out. Turns out pellet stove was causing noise. Hmm,
sacrifice heat for Qs? YOU BET! And the house is well insulated and the amp
was pumping out the heat so stayed comfortable. Then the beverages stopped
working! So replaced the feed line across drive. Guess I drove over it one
too many times. 

All that aside, what a fun contest. Seemed conditions to Europe were very
good. Difficult finding a click free frequency to call and run on but once I
did things starting going well. Condx must be good when you have to battle a
DL for thee frequency (he finally left!). 

What is it with all the dupes? Seems more then usual. Of course a couple
said I was a dupe but I know they logged me when I was working a DX station
they couldn't hear. Had to BEG them to put me in the log. I just work the
dupes as its faster. 

Two things I find consistently bad. First, stations that just come on and
call CQ without as much as a ? Or QRL? Then once told QRL don't move?? Come
on guys, take some pride in your operating. Second, while it didn't seem as
bad as years past, lets fix those clicks! Some stations were just terrible!
It would help if the radio manufacturers, all of them, would give REAL rise
and fall numbers when they are adjustable. TT, Icom and Yaesu seem to
indicate exactly 2X what the real rise and fall times are. Seems like
something that would be easy to get right.

In summary, what a fun, fun contest!

Ron
N4XD

-- 
No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.432 / Virus Database: 268.17.12/655 - Release Date: 1/28/2007
1:12 PM