[3830] ARRLDX SSB NA2U(@K8IA) SOSB/15 HP

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                    ARRL DX Contest, SSB

Call: NA2U
Operator(s): NA2U
Station: K8IA

Class: SOSB/15 HP
QTH: AZ
Operating Time (hrs): 27

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:           
   80:           
   40:           
   20:           
   15: 1137   101
   10:           
-------------------
Total: 1137   101  Total Score = 344,511

Club: Arizona Outlaws Contest Club

Comments:

One radio - K3, Alpha 8410, 3 ele. SteppIr @ 78', 5 ele. 15m yagi fixed on JA @
61', Bencher Skyhawk fixed East @ 45'.  

Very first thing I have to thank my hosts, Sandy, N7RQ, and Bob, K8IA, for
allowing me to operate in their home, which is about 45 minutes from mine. I
have operated a couple of CQWW CW M/2 contests there.  Sandy usually works this
one single-band but was unable to do it this year.  I really appreciate the
opportunity.  Thanks, Sandy and Bob!

My first DX contest single-band effort.  It was great to be able to use real
antennas instead of the crappy dipole at the home QTH (80m-10m @ 58" or about
1.5m for the metric guys).  Interesting propagation.  Nice opening to EU on
Saturday surprised.  The lack of that opening on Sunday was a disappointment,
I'm sure it was shared pain.  JA accounted for 552 of the Qs (48.5%).  Arigato,
Japan!

As always, it was fun running into some of the East coast guys from my NJ
days.

Which brings me to the close of the contest.  I had read in one of the DX
bulletins that Steve, W2ML, was going to be operating C6AML during the contest.
 I know Steve from my days in the NJDXA back in NJ.  With about 4 minutes
remaining in the contest I get a call from C6AML off the back of the JA beam. 
I switched antennas and we had a brief chat.  After all those hours in the
chair my back hurt, my ass hurt, and here was Steve.  Always a very optimistic
guy, Steve was showing grace under pressure and an incredibly great attitude
while facing unbelievably challenging personal circumstances.  Very
inspirational.  Without a doubt the highlight of the contest for me and a high
note on which to close.  Thanks for calling, Steve.

Now it's back to the crappy dipole.

73,

Fred/NA2U


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