[3830] ARRL 160 K5WA Single Op HP

[webform at b4h.net]

                    ARRL 160-Meter Contest

Call: K5WA
Operator(s): K5WA
Station: K5WA

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: STX
Operating Time (hrs): 7

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 396  Sections = 67  Countries = 13  Total Score = 67,440

Club: Central Texas DX and Contest Club

Comments:

I am building a new station this year and had not spent much time on my 160
antenna, so this contest was really an extended antenna test that I was simply
going to play with on Friday night.  The shunt fed tower that I thought worked,
was a real dud.  On Friday night, I sat and listened to K5NA calling CQ and was
fairly pleased that I could hear the stations that called him until a G, an F
and a DL called in and I heard squat!  I also noticed that he was maintaining a
great rate and when I called CQ, it was a pretty mediocre response.  I was NOT
loud.  I went to bed around 2 AM in total disgust with my setup.

On Saturday, I decided to build a 1/4 wave vertical with an elevated radial
(just one so far) at 15'.  I had a number of other projects to complete that
day, but I got the vertical up and it was resonant about 1840...close enough. 
I was only able to spend about 2 hours Saturday night, but I had a great CQ
session.  I realize I was fresh meat, but I was running about 100/hr and the 10
minute counter even flipped over 200 for a spell.  What really blew me away was
to get calls from G3LET, G4OBK, F6CWN and DL0MDR in short order.  This was
7-8PM local and I have never had an antenna that got that kind of results early
in the evening; I usually have to wait until EU sunrise.  I then went to the DX
Window to see if I could break a pileup and I got ON4UN, PJ2DX, 5K0T and P43JB
on the first call.  That was a HUGE change from the previous night and I knew I
was on the right track.  The Europeans were louder than many of the stateside
guys.
Even though I only had a few hours to play contest this weekend, I finally feel
like I've gotten my 160 antenna figured out.  We'll see if that holds up during
CQ 160 when I'll be slogging it out as a competitor (OK, I'm in 5 land so I'll
only be a participant).  Now, if I could only get my beverages working
better...
73,
Bob K5WA


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