[3830] SS CW W8EDU Multi-Op HP

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                    ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW

Call: W8EDU
Operator(s): AF8A, W8RZ, W8WTS
Station: W8EDU

Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: Cleveland, OH
Operating Time (hrs): 24

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    0
   80:  235
   40:  340
   20:  328
   15:   51
   10:    2
------------
Total:  956  Sections = 80  Total Score = 152,960

Club: Mad River Radio Club

Comments:

The Case Amateur Radio Club station W8EDU was active from the campus of Case
Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH for SS CW.  Although we did not
meet our goal of 1000 QSOs, the station and antennas worked very well.  

We set the shack up with two complete stations, allowing us to hunt for QSOs
simultaneously on two bands.  N1MM logging software provides the lockout
function preventing both stations from transmitting at the same time.  All
bands were accessible from either station.  

We started on 20 m and maintained rate for Saturday evening and into night,
switching bands regularly.  Multipliers were easy this year, especially with
VY1EI active with a great signal.  The last multiplier, SC, was worked at 0339Z
for the sweep.  Rate dropped precipitously in the 0800Z hour, with the final QSO
of the starting run at 0833Z.  

We did not manage our off times optimally, which definitely hurt our total. 
Furthermore, we followed the PVRC suggestion that the best band strategy from
the eastern USA was to ignore 15 and 10 m, always pressing toward the lowest
running band.  That strategy turned out to be a bad one for us, as we surely
missed opportunities for rates as many stations flocked to the higher bands.  

We enjoyed our ability as a multi-op to utilize the Reverse Beacon Network to
help find stations to work on Sunday.  After SS with RBN, it is difficult to
imagine going back to SO without the help.  

Rates for the final hours were disappointing.  While there were periods of
useful CQ rates on 40 and 20 m, we never got the traction that we expected on
80 m during Sunday evening.  Although we seemed on a trajectory to meet our
1000 QSO goal, the Sunday evening was insufficiently productive.  We ended the
contest 44 QSOs short.  

Many thanks are due to K8DTS, KI8JV, KD8OXT, and the student and faculty
members of the Case Amateur Radio Club for maintaining the station and allowing
us the opportunity to operate.


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