[3830] CQ160 CW W7RH Single Op LP

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                    CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

Call: W7RH
Operator(s): W7RH
Station: W7RH

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: AZ Ranch
Operating Time (hrs): 25

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 584  State/Prov = 55  Countries = 19  Total Score = 125,356

Club: 

Comments:

Wow! Another year, another CQ160 contest and a good one it was. 

This year I arrived early and was fairly well rested. The station checked out
fine Thursday with a complete visual inspection of all cables, antenna array,
followed by the on the air base line measurements and contacts in the evening
hours. Late Thursday and early Friday brought about 4 inches of new snow. Just
thirty minutes before contest start I discovered the array was not switching. I
spent the next 2 hours finding and repairing the cable break buried somewhere in
the snow. The cable was completely severed by some ranch critter over night.

Back in the operating position both cold and wet Friday in darkness let the
contest begin for me almost 2 hours late. Friday night EU was like 20 M very
strong but difficult to break pileups with 100W. I'm sure local QRN and QRM on
other end was a factor. 

With heavy rain falling and rapidly warming temperatures I no choice but to
shut down and head out of the remote ranch site 2 hours before contest end for
fear of getting stuck in the Arizona Clay. Even then it took me an hour in my
4X4 to go the 12 miles back to paved RT66.

All things prove that in contesting, planning and timing is crucial. Well
enough said remote operations are like soap operas. Can hardly wait till next
year!

73 all and good contesting!

Bob, W7RH


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