[3830] CQ160 CW K8BL Single Op LP

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                    CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW

Call: K8BL
Operator(s): K8BL
Station: K8BL

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: OH
Operating Time (hrs): 18.6

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 827  State/Prov = 56  Countries = 36  Total Score = 223,836

Club: North Coast Contesters

Comments:

My best effort ever in this Contest! The condx were great with DX coming
in as if it was 80M on a good evening! Not very much noise except for short
periods of snow static.

I don't think I ever got out of the teens with DX in previous efforts and
this time I hit 36. During some of my late runs there were EU stations
actually calling me! 3V was a new one for me. Only missed KL7, ND, VE4,
VE5 and VO2 of ones likely to encounter.

This year, I added 3 elevated radials to my Bazooka Feed Inv L which
already has an elevated feed point (6'). I also added 2 shorter radials
which I grounded at the ends. Finally, in addition to tying my ground
point to my rear neighbor's chain-link fence, I connected his fence to
the neighbors' on each side of him with auto jumper cables (which I've
since removed before they saw them inquisitively). There was no obvious
change in the loading/SWR, but I thought it would be fun to try something
new. Maybe it lowered my radiation angle and accounted for increased DX??

Observations:
- Several stations insisted on NOT sending the 599 & only their QTH which
   I feel violates the Exchange Rule.
- It always amazes me how many stations call way off freq and almost beyond
   my filter skirts.
- Another amazing thing is how many stations can Contest within 80KHz or so!
- Watching the GeoClock Display, you knew exactly what stations would be
   dropping out as if throwing a switch.
- There no longer seems to be a "DX Window" and DX could be found all over
   the Band.
- A significant number of 2x3 Calls which seems to indicate that a lot of
   newer Hams have caught on to the joy of CW.


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