[3830] SS SSB KT8K Single Op QRP

[Tim Prosser]

ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB 

Call: KT8K 
Operator(s): KT8K 
Station: KT8K 

Class: Single Op QRP 
QTH: Ann Arbor, MI 
Operating Time (hrs): 19 

Summary: 
Band QSOs 
------------ 
160: 0 
80: 101 
40: 123 
20: 63 
15: 32 
10: 0 
------------ 
Total: 319 Sections = 74 Total Score = 47,212 

Club: Mad River Radio Club 

Comments: 

Equipment: Orion at 5w, WGA TR-2000 w. noise cancelling dynamic mic 
Antennas: 20/40/80 fan-inv vee at 60', 550+' horiz. loop at 20-70 ft, 10/15/20 trap dipole at 60', K9AY loop 

If operating LP in SS SSB is like lying on a bed of nails, then operating QRP is the same, only with someone constantly beating you about the head with a rolled up newspaper. 20m was so crowded I almost quit several times. At least twice I went a half hour without a QSO - not for want of trying, I assure you. 

Still, the bands were very good and my new WGA TR2000 headset (especially the microphone) was kicking butt. I got amazingly few requests for repeats and a lot of very nice compliments on my signal, when people could hear me. My new K9AY loop worked very well, and this time I could hear even MORE people who couldn't hear me! Thanks to all who listened hard for me and the other QRP ops. I am sad I couldn't crack the top 10 QRP this time <sob> and still no sweep for me <wahh!>. I heard all the mults except MS - where were they? In CW it was just SB I didn't hear ... Better luck next year, when maybe the sun will shine a bit more favorably on me (and the ionosphere). 73 & TU to all de kt8k - Tim