[3830] NA Sprint SSB N1LN HP

[webform at b41h.net]

                    NA Sprint SSB Contest - February

Call: N1LN
Operator(s): N1LN
Station: N1LN

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: NC
Operating Time (hrs): 4.0
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Op Time
---------------------
   80:   71     1.5
   40:   59     1.5
   20:   47     1.0
---------------------
Total:  177    Mults = 40  Total Score = 7,080

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Team: PVRC #1

Comments:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.   

I am sure that many of you have read those words. Perhaps last night you
experienced them both. I know I did.

My start for the CW Sprint was anything but the best of times.  20 meters was
less than good from my QTH.  40 meters was very noisy.  I couldn't copy CW to
save my lift and then to top it off, the right side of my head phones decided
to go out.  I quit about 1 hr into the contest.  DONE.

So, I was determined to get my act together for the SSB Sprint.   Both K3s were
taken apart and the Aux BNC connectors installed for diversity RX.  I ordered a
new cable for my Heil Pro-Set Plus.  The time before the contest was more
relaxing than it was for CW.  I was ready.

The first 15 minutes were great. The Qs were coming fast, I was winning most of
the jump balls and even making couplets.  Then 20 meters got slow. Knowing I had
4 hours, not only 30 minutes like NS Sprints on Thursday nights, the digging
began to maximize 20 meters. When the rate is that slow, even I can work SO2R,
so I did.  Well, that is when I found out that I had miswired the replacement
headphone cable.  My left radio was in my right ear and my right radio was in
my left ear.  As if that was not interesting enough, that also changed the
listening focus of the RX antennas.  Sorry for those I transmitted on top of
until this bit of left ear, right brain and right ear, left brain was worked
out.  Fortunately, I was able to turn the headphones around, move the boom mic
in position and keep going.  

Keep going. Interesting words. The rate was not exactly challenging. Actually,
it was extremely slow. Many of my Qs were with non-Sprint participants. Those
in the NH and LA QSO party were kind enough to give both Sprint and QSO party
exchanges.  THANK YOU!  Many others gave me QSO number 1 after having the
exchange explained to them.  THANK YOU!

The best of times was a three way QSO with N6ZFO, Bill and KO7X, Alan. It was
not long, but it was during the contest.  Thanks guys for the nice chat and for
convincing me to stay in the game.

Mults heard but not worked:  MS, DE, BC
Mults not heard, not worked and perhaps not on:  MANY

Now it is time to head to the work bench and exchange the white and yellow
wires so my headphone audio, brain, ears, and K3s will be once again in
alignment.

73,
Bruce, N1LN


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