[3830] CQ160 CW K6LL Single Op Assisted HP

[webform at b41h.net]

                    CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

Call: K6LL
Operator(s): K6LL
Station: K6LL

Class: Single Op Assisted HP
QTH: Arizona
Operating Time (hrs): 4

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 309  State/Prov = 51  Countries = 7  Total Score = 41,876

Club: Arizona Outlaws Contest Club

Comments:

I operated assisted, using the WA7LNW CW Skimmer.  It quickly became obvious
that I was being heard a lot better than I was hearing.  I would call an
extremely weak station, and almost invariably they came back to me on the first
call.  My noise background sounds like digital devices in the neighborhood, so I
don't think there's much I can do about that.  Fortunately, my location is
fairly quiet on 40, 20, 15 and 10.

When I shut down the station on Friday night, I heard a humming noise in the
shack.  I tried unplugging various devices, and when I unplugged the AL-1500,
sparks flew from the plug, and the humming noise stopped.  I plugged it back in
again and even more sparks flew from the plug, and the humming started up again.
 I turned the AL-1500 meter switch to HV position, and found that the amp was
sitting with 3600 VDC energized!  This was with the power switch in the off
position, with all meter lights and indicators dark! Definitely not good.  I
suspect that the surge relay contact has welded shut, causing the main 240 VAC
relay contacts to weld shut due to lack of surge protection.  I'll dig into
that on Sunday.













.


Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/