[3830] CQWW SSB K9MMS SOAB HP

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                    CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB

Call: K9MMS
Operator(s): K9MMS
Station: K9MMS

Class: SOAB HP
QTH: IL  04
Operating Time (hrs): 24

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries
------------------------------
  160:    2     1        1
   80:   12     5        4
   40:   33    11       23
   20:  300    26       83
   15:  267    19       75
   10:    7     4        4
------------------------------
Total:  621    66      190  Total Score = 440,832

Club: Society of Midwest Contesters

Comments:

I decided to jump into the CQ DX SSB contest since my plans for CQ DX CW are
uncertain (perhaps little to no activity from my station due to other possible
activities on the Thanksgiving holiday weekend).  It's rare for me to get into
a phone contest, since I much prefer CW, but I wanted to work lots of DX --
don't we all? !!  Though, I must admit that I did have fun in this event --
even if it was on SSB -- especially with 15 meters being open.  A treat for
everyone, for sure.  Using an amplifier is also a deviation from the norm for
me -- mostly CW / LP for over 51 years.  At my age, I'm starting to lean
towards the philosophy that life's too short (what's left) for LP -- let alone
QRP.  :)

The low bands were a huge disappointment for me.  I found little activity and
plenty of noise.  From here, 160 almost sounded dead -- not what I expected
since having worked plenty of EU on 160 in recent weeks.  I did not spend much
time on top band (also out of character for me), but it seemed rather futile
when I was on that band.  It was mostly a 2-band event for me.

Equipment:  K3 driving an AL-811H at about 600 watts.  TH6 at 73 feet, ATB-34
at 33 feet, 40-2CD at 63 feet, 80 m inverted V dipole, 160 m inverted L, and 2
short low-band RX antennae.  The K3 worked great, and I especially enjoyed
using the KDVR in the K3.  The audio compression and 600 watts seemed to work
well, because I was amazed at how many pile-ups in which I easily got through
to the DX target.  Several EU stations mentioned I had a strong signal -- also
a rare treat. :)  That made it great fun.  Maybe this phone stuff is not so bad
after all.  :)   Running LP on phone in the past has been anything but fun --
like talking to the wall.

Last tune through 20 meters at the end of the contest, I found and worked BY3MM
at 2359Z.  Right after the QSO, the clock changed to 0000Z, and the BY operator
said QRT and was silent.  That sure was close, but a nice way to end. :)

Mostly an S&P effort (92% of Qs were via S&P).

Great fun.  Thanks for the Qs and Ms.

73,
    Gary


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