[3830] SS CW N6HC Single Op LP

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                    ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW

Call: N6HC
Operator(s): N6HC
Station: N6HC

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: ORG
Operating Time (hrs): 21

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    0
   80:   71
   40:  343
   20:  293
   15:  233
   10:    0
------------
Total:  940  Sections = 80  Total Score = 150,400

Club: Southern California Contest Club

Comments:

Greetings fellow Sweepstakes aficionados:
This was an interesting contest on several fronts.  I finally joined the
Microsoft Windows crowd and replaced my aging DOS 486-50 shack computer with a
speedy P3 550 Mhz race horse running v.10.10.0 N1MM software.  I have used N1MM
on DXpeditions and at multi-op stations but this was my first foray into using
this program from home.  I'm gratified to say that the program performed
without a burp.  I utilized only the logging window and closed out all the
other bells and whistles to minimize taxing the computer's resources.  In
future contests, I'll call up telnet, band maps and other useful frills to
maximize my yuppie performance.
This was the first time, in a long time, that I entered the low power class. 
My hat is off to all the LP participants who probably are suffering from
headaches post contest from banging their head on the floor trying to compete
with the mega-signals from the B and M classes.  I now recall why I gravitated
to the high power class many years ago in order to ease my frustration at being
clobbered by the big dogs or trying to hold a run frequency.  Next year I'm
going back to HP and probably "assisted" as my age is beginning to show and my
stamina flags.
I was able to muster another "Sweep" but the last section came after more than
750 QSOs were logged.  OKlahoma was the winner this year for the 80th section
entered into the log.  Imagine my delight when I heard Connie (K5CM) on 15
meters calling CQ SS with no pile-up.  I pointed my trusty Mosley tribander in
his direction and called him for more than five minutes to no avail.  He simply
continued to call CQ in my face.  I spied the lonely Kenwood amplifier sitting
next to the transceiver and mused whether several more DB would help me snag
that elusive last multiplier.  But alas, my guardian angel tapped me on the
shoulder and shook his head in disapproval.  Later, on twenty meters, I heard
K5CM and lassoed that cowboy for the Sweep.
I'm favorably impressed that the participants in this contest were very well
behaved.  On several occasions, a fellow competitor started calling CQ on my
run frequency.  A simple QRL...pse QSY was sufficient to clear the frequency. 
I was also guilty a couple of times on encroaching on someone elses run
frequency and I beat a hasty retreat when I was politely informed that the
frequency was already in use. (I did send QRL? before calling CQ but didn't
hear a response to my query).
I couldn't get a full 24 hours of operation on the air because Saturday,
November 6, is my birthday.  I was pleasantly interrupted by well wishers on
the landline congratulating me on adding another year to my already illustrious
life. I say "pleasantly" because when I am running high power, my neighbor
starts cranking up his automatic telephone dialer to torment me with multiple
telephone calls.  I usually just take the phone off the hook during contests,
but I didn't need to do that running low power in this test.  My wife purchased
a birthday mini-cake and assorted candles so that we could have a small
celebration at dinner.  The number of candles overwhelmed the cake.  You know
you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.
I hope to contact all of you in a couple of weeks in the SSB rendition of
Sweepstakes.  You can be sure I'll be participating in the high power category
in this one. Don't call me on the landline; the telephone will be temporarily
disconnected.  Please use my cell phone number:>)
Thanks for all the Qs.
Arnie N6HC @ the Hotel California in the beautiful OC
Rig: Kenwood TS-950SD
Antenna: Mosley TA-34-XL (15/20 meters) at 60 feet, KLM 2 element beam (40
meters) at 55 feet, Inverted Vee dipole (80 meters).


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