[3830] ARRL 160 ON4UN Single Op HP

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                    ARRL 160-Meter Contest

Call: ON4UN
Operator(s): ON4UN
Station: ON4UN

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: Merelbeke
Operating Time (hrs): 20

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 551  Sections = 53  Countries = 2  Total Score = 58,406

Club: Rhein Ruhr DX Association

Comments:

BACK WITH BOTH FEET ON THE GROUND…

After a most extraordinary period lasting more than two month, period during
which we experienced good propagation to the West Coast due to a totally quiet
sun and total absence of any aurora absorption (also witnessed one week ago
during the CQ WW CW contest), we have finally (=unfortunately) seen
“normal” condition for the ARRL 160m contest. 

The first night started OK, but around 03:00 GMT someone switched off the
lights (or rather turned on the Northern lights). The band collapsed
completely, and at 04:30 I went to bed, as I could only get a QSO every 10 or
15 minutes. I was also disappointed as my good run frequency (1832.5) which I
had occupied all night long was taken over by brute force by a FM5 station, who
totally ignored my presence. With some 320 QSO’s in the log but nothing West
of W0-land (not a single W6/7 heard), I could only hope for better the second
night.

The second night started very well, and the East coast stations were worked
with good signals way before their sunset. It was a good second night, a
“normal” second night, which means I did not hear or work a single W6 or 7.
It was a night like in “normal” years. Towards the morning hours, the rates
started dropping, because I must have worked all stations east of the Rockies.
Most must be a better word. Like every years there are a number of alligator
stations that are strong but do not hear a thing. Fortunately the number of
alligator stations shrinks every year. From the “reachable” sections I
missed KP4 (VI) and WTX only. So can’t complain. I had never worked so many
USA stations in this contest, so I am happy. 

The new and imrpoved feed system on my Beverages and the end-fire phased
Beverages to the US work like a charm. I am getting 3 dB better S/N ratio as
compared to single Beverages and can now dig one layer deepr in the noise to
work the weaker stations.

I just wonder if anyone out west (of the Rocky mountains) in W6/7 land ever
heard signals from Europe. I did not. Would be interesting to find out. Thanks
to all who called me. QSL is 100% via the bureau, or via direct on receipt. CU
in the Stew Perry and the CQ 160m contest!
	
73 – John, ON4UN


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