[3830] WPX SSB VE7FO M/S HP

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                    CQWW WPX Contest, SSB - 2019

Call: VE7FO
Operator(s): VA7GI VE7FO
Station: VE7FO

Class: M/S HP
QTH: Vancouver
Operating Time (hrs): 21:15

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    0
   80:   38
   40:   49
   20:  350
   15:    3
   10:    0
------------
Total:  440  Prefixes = 255  Total Score = 284,070

Club: Orca DX and Contest Club

Comments:

WPX SSB 2019 - SOAP
                          
Well, that was a bit of a roller coaster ride.

Station is in disarray as I'm (still) in the midst of upgrading it to two op
positions and one Master a la N1MM.  Not helped by the recently crashed hard
drive on the main op position.  Rather than op from the 2nd position, which
isn't really properly set up yet, I shifted it's hard drive to the main position
some days ago thinking that that's all I need to do to get on the air.  Hah!  

The contest has started and I'm still trying to remember how to set up the MM
voice keyer function keys.  OK, got that figured out but now getting messages
that MM can't find the .wav files needed.  Well, I know exactly where they are -
on the defunct hard drive.  I also know that they were never installed on the
2nd op position.  Guess I'm going to have to regeneratet them.  There was a time
when this would not have been difficult but now suffering from CRS syndrome. 
OK, start up Goldwave sound editor.  Hmm... seems to be different than it used
to.  Fiddle around a bit and can't figure out how to get audio from the mic into
it.  Maybe I'll have better luck with Audacity.  Nope.  Doesn't help that I'm
tired and crabby.

One contest hour has elapsed.  I give up on the voice keyer and conduct a
preemptive search for throat lozenges.  Found them and commence to check out the
bands.  No spots on 10.  Plenty of spots on 15.  Too bad they were for stations
I couldn't hear.  (Total Qs made on 15?  A magnificent 3.)

Sighed and started S&P on 20.  Called somebody and . . . 

WHAT THE HELL IS THAT RACKET?  

And why is the amp putting out full power when I'm in receive mode?  Shut off
the VOX and all quiet again.  Oh no.  Horrible RF feedback.  What am I going to
do about it?  Contemplated taking the easy way out and spending a few hours on
Sudoko puzzles but remembered all the BIC admonishments I've heard over the
years.  OK, find a snap on ferrite and put it on a lead.  But, which one?  Who
cares, probably not going to do anything anyway.  So, snapped it on the mic lead
and, voila, problem fixed.  Muttered a few, "Take that, Murphy"s while
basking in the glow of having demonstrated my superior trouble shooting skills.

OK, what's happening on 20?

Really busy.  Heard an enormous number of lids who couldn't get the exchange the
first time.  "Number?, number?, my number?, what is my number?, please, my
number?  When I started making Qs I found out why.  There was deep QSB going on.
 In many cases, if you didn't complete the Q in about 30 secs or so the other
station would totally vanish for what seemed like eternity but was probably
about 30 seconds.  Managed to make 9 Qs in hour 2.

Was very pleased when my guest op (Guy, VA7GI) showed up for hour 3 and I could
escape.  He also found cndx really rough and made only 39 S&P Qs before
having to leave during hour 7.  Tells you something about cndx when an
experienced op with a K3, Alpha 9500 and yagi at his disposal can get the rate
up to only 8/hr.

Called it quits in hour 8 (1 am local) and went to bed, having worked a number
of domestic stations but only 2 Russians and 1 JA.  73 Qs in the log.  (all
S&P)

Back at it in hour 19.  Took a break during hours 25 and 31.  175 Qs in the
log.

Hours 40 to 42  199 Qs

Switch to running and hope the throat lozenges hold out

Hour 43  267 Qs

Hour 44  320 Qs

Hour 45  395 Qs

Hour 46  425 Qs

Hour 47  440 Qs

Wow!  Near the end I was getting tongue-tied and explained to those waiting
their turn that my mouth was getting disconnected from my brain.  Someone
responded with, "I know exactly how you feel!"

This was the first time in years I didn't use a voice keyer.  I understand now
why people don't like them and find them too impersonal.  I found I was adding
little comments which made it more fun.  For example, someone's exchange was
128.  I just couldn't get the 8, although no trouble with the 1 or the 2. 
Finally, in a stroke of genius he said, "Ocho ocho ocho," which I got
right away and said, "Why didn't you say that in the first place?"
then listened to his laughter as he slid down the next fade. 

I tried out the livescores site accessible from MM.  I set my sights on a local
M2 station.  My two hour late start didn't help but I gradually crept closer and
closer until, in the last hour I passed them.  My elation was somewhat deflated
when I learned that they quit a couple of hours before the end.  Still, it was
motivational and I will continue to do that.

Thanks for the Qs everyone and especially for your patience.

Looking forward to WPX CW and, maybe, FQP

73, Jim  VE7FO


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