[3830] SS CW W1NN Single Op LP

[webform at b41h.net]

                    ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW

Call: W1NN
Operator(s): W1NN
Station: W1NN

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: OH
Operating Time (hrs): 20
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:     
   80:  491
   40:  322
   20:   63
   15:   20
   10:     
------------
Total:  896  Sections = 78  Total Score = 139,776

Club: Mad River Radio Club

Comments:

After going over 1008 Q's last year (995 after log checking), I set a goal to
reach 1050 or 1100 this year.  I had more time than usual to get ready this
year and I built a nice SO2R switch and tweaked the antennas.  Everything was
ready.  But just before the contest start, my old RF in the computer problem
reared its ugly head again and screwed up what needed to be a really good
start, nixing any hope of reaching my goal.  

The problem is that after making a few QSOs the computer soundboard suddenly
makes a bleeping sound, the screen completely freezes, and the rig goes key
down, requiring a forced (pull out the plug) restart, which takes over a minute
to do.  The issue is limited to 20 Meters but of course it's pretty hard to do
SS without 20 Meters.  After half a dozen restarts during the first half hour,
I took a time off at 2135 to see if I could fix the problem.  I tried
everything I could think of including going outside to relocate the 20 meter
dipole (which is only about 30 feet from the shack) but to no avail.  At the
end of the first hour I had only 32 contacts in the log and 87 at the end of
hour two.  This is not the way to start SS.  

I thought of quitting then but hoped I could think of something before Sunday
afternoon when I would have to go back to 20, and I also wanted to contribute
some points to the MRRC club score, so I got to work on 40 and 80.  Things went
fine overnight and by mid-day on Sunday, I had nearly climbed back to my 2008
pace but that was not good enough, especially with N8AA and W8CAR in there
showing no mercy.  I tried a few more things to fix the 20 meter problem
including switching rigs, sending by hand and just logging on the computer,
covering the computer with cookie sheets and baking pans to try to keep the RF
out, etc. but nothing worked.  The only way I could operate on 20 was with the
computer off.  When your dupesheet is on the computer, it's pretty hard to
suddenly switch to paper and I ended up duping a couple of guys.  So I
basically had to do without 20 meters again on Sunday.  At dinner time with
four hours of op time left, I threw the big switch and headed for the couch.  

The VE8 was loud at the start of the contest but I couldn't get through the
pileup early on and then he faded.  I figured I could work him on Sunday or
work VY1EI but I never heard either of them on Sunday, so I missed my chance. 
Never heard a NL station either.  But it seemed like every other station was
from MDC.  Is everyone moving to Maryland?

Hopefully there will be another chance next year.

Congrats to N8AA who appears to have won Ohio LP and maybe the division too.

73, Hal W1NN
Dipole Acres
Medina, Ohio


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