[3830] CQWW SSB P49Y(AE6Y) SOAB HP

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                    CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB

Call: P49Y
Operator(s): AE6Y
Station: P49Y

Class: SOAB HP
QTH: Aruba
Operating Time (hrs): 41
Radios: SO2R

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries
------------------------------
  160:   23     6       11
   80:  155    11       23
   40:  735    28       84
   20: 1835    34      107
   15: 2159    32       96
   10: 2749    30       90
------------------------------
Total: 7656   141      411  Total Score = 12,498,384

Club: Northern California Contest Club

Comments:

What a contrast: excellent condx 40-10, as everyone has noted, but a horrendous
amount of local noise on 160 and 80 that rendered them practically useless
here.  Not sure if it was due to thunderstorms over YV (from which lightning
could be seen in the distance in the evenings), or just from some
noise-generating malicious spirits, but it was the worst I've ever experienced
here. In 2010, in a MS, we worked 97 countries on 80, but this year even my
lowly total of 23 took a lot of effort. And our usually reliable set of
beverages made no impact on the noise.
 Then I compounded the problem by making a rookie mistake: took a
"nap" early Sunday morning that turned into a major sleep (i.e., 6
1/2 hours instead of 2 1/2 hours as intended), when I slept right through the
alarm! I usually set multiple alarms, but foolishly didn't bother this time. 
The flip side is that I felt fine on Sunday afternoon, instead of the usual
sleepiness and hallucinations, but I would have gladly traded that good feeling
for 4 more night time hours on 40/80/160.
  But, the high bands really were fun, all the equipment and antennas worked,
and it is always exciting to share the airwaves with thousands of operators
around the world who spent a great weekend on the radio, so I'll just chalk
this one up to a learning experience.  Aruba was well represented also by
Robert, P40P (W5AJ), running assisted from the P49V QTH and Jean-Pierre, P43A,
who as usual did a great job as an SB15 from his location about a mile from
here.  We missed P40W (W2GD), who had to cancel his visit for family reasons,
but had him here in spirit cheering us all on.
  Thanks to co-owner John, W6LD, for leaving his K3 here to augment the usual
shack K3.  That allowed me to bring my KPA500 in my backpack instead of my own
K3.  The KPA500 was great to use on the high bands for instant QSYs. Thanks
also to Chris (P43C), who keeps the house in good order and recently repainted
it with elegant bright blue trim.
  73 and thanks for all the Qs, 
  Andy, AE6Y, P49Y
Rig: K3 X2, Alpha 91B, 86, KPA500
Ant: 2 el 10, 5 el. 15, 4 el. 20, 2 el. 40, 1 el. 80, H-dipole 160, C31,
beverages
Software: CQPWIN, ver. 12.6


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