[3830] ARRLDX CW ZF9CW(K5GO) SOAB LP

[webform at b4h.net]

                    ARRL DX Contest, CW - 2019

Call: ZF9CW
Operator(s): K5GO
Station: ZF9CW

Class: SOAB LP
QTH: Cayman Brac
Operating Time (hrs): 40

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:  513    57
   80:  884    59
   40:  956    60
   20: 1583    60
   15:  697    58
   10:   21    11
-------------------
Total: 4654   305  Total Score = 4,258,410

Club: Cayman Amateur Radio Society

Comments:

I would rather be able to honestly say that everything worked flawlessly and it
was a great contest.  I knew that I was going to have a challenge in getting set
up.  We came down to the Brac on Wednesday night, staying home (actually Tulsa)
for the birth of our 5th grandchild on Monday.  

There would be one full day (Thursday) to put up antennas for 160, 80 and 40 and
perhaps a receive antenna.  Also had a new IC-7610 to hook up and make work with
the computer setup.  Wanted to have time to play with the radio since I had only
used it to make a few contacts in Arkansas and was not familiar with all the
features.  I like the radio.

Thursday there was a major rain storm with high winds that lasted most of the
day. It was blowing hard enough that the heavy rain would sting when it hit me
on the back. Not much was accomplished outside but inside the computer started
displaying a nice blue screen with a problem that could not be solved.  It was
unusable.  Thursday night until 2:30 AM Friday was spent making an old laptop
work with the required software.  I woke up at 5:00 AM on Friday morning with no
antennas for 160-40 and tired with little sleep for the two previous nights.  

The weather was clear and I worked hard to do what had to be done. To save time
I put down about half as many radials as planned for my 160 and 80 meter
vertical antennas and was ready to go with 2 hours to spare.  Tried to take a
nap; couldnt sleep but at least rested with eyes closed.

A few hours into the contest I felt the same way I usually feel during a contest
after no off time on a Saturday afternoon.  I knew I wasn't going to make it
anywhere close to 48 hours. I took a big off time early, like around midnight,
and got a few hours of needed sleep.

I think the problem was with the old laptop (not sure) but I had to close and
reopen the logging program between 75 and 100 times during the contest. I never
went more than about 45 minutes and sometimes only 5 minutes between instances. 
It would stop sending CW but would log contacts made with the paddle.  So when
it stopped sending I reached for the paddle to complete the contact and closed
the program and re-opened with my left hand while calling CQ with the paddle.  A
recurring problem is that when I am extremely tired a 9 sent at more than about
15 WPM doesn't sound right and can't be sent by me with a paddle.  Just can't do
it! This was all a real PITA but no direct detriment to my score - just my
energy level, attitude and LID rating.

I was looking forward to the end of the contest and it finally arrived. As
usual, I tried to do the best I could with what I had to work with. 

Having VY1AAA call me a couple times was a highlight.  Working so many familiar
call signs and friends was worth it. 

I'm going to try to get things working so I can get on for some of the other
contests between now and March 19 when we go back to Arkansas - after I catch up
on some sleep!

73... Stan, ZF9CW


Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/