[3830] TBDC NK8Q(@N3EB) Single Op LP

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Stew Perry Topband Challenge

Call: NK8Q
Operator(s): NK8Q
Station: N3EB

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: FN10
Operating Time (hrs): 12.5

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 434  Total Score = 2,268

Club: Frankford Radio Club

Comments:

My score reflects the 1.5x bonus for operating at 99W.  It should be interesting
to see how it changes with respect to those other low and QRP powered stations
that I worked during this fun event.

I am generally a QRPer and have enjoyed this contest at 5W in the past (and
BRAVO to BARC for having the rule that the stations that QRPers work are worth
4x as they have more work to do receiving than I do when transmitting!).  This
time I was using a superior station than any of my own previous stations (thanks
to Eric, N3EB, who hosted me at his mountaintop station).  I started running QRP
but after about an hour switched over to 100W.  Maybe I got spoiled with the
rates that I get when running full QRO.  :)  

Anyway, the rig was an Elecraft K3 (with a big amp sitting on the bench,
tempting, but didn't plug it in!).  I didn't use SO2V mode as I had a headache
starting out in the contest and didn't need to increase it further!  The antenna
for Tx was a 1/4 wavelength elevated ground plane with 8 radials.  Rx antennas
were Beverages to the NE, W and SW.  With outdoor temperatures at -1F (-18C) the
drafty hamshack was certainly frigid!  I was bundled up quite well and without
the couple of heaters (one placed under the operating bench right between my
legs) I might have had to fire up the big amplifier to help keep warm, costing
me about 700 points for going to the QRO power level!  

I got on the air about 1700 local time (USA Eastern timezone) and operated until
about 0330 local time (0830Z), took a nap for about 1-1/2 hours, and then
started operation again from 0500 to 0800 local time.  

Much of my time was spent calling CQ, probably too much as I should have likely
spent more time looking for high-point QSOs.  Yes, a good lesson learned for
next time!  My first QSO with EU was while doing S&P at 0037Z and my first
to the left coast (w/ K7RAT!) was while calling CQ at 0058Z.  My best QSO rates
with EU stations was from 0600 to 0800Z (along with a KH6 station thrown in for
some nice pointes as well).


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