[3830] 222SprngSprnt K9GY Single Op LP

[webform at b4h.net]

                    222 MHz Spring Sprint - 2020

Call: K9GY
Operator(s): K9GY
Station: K9GY

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: EN61fm
Operating Time (hrs): 1.5

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 6  Mults = 3  Total Score = 36

Club: Society of Midwest Contesters

Comments:

Who said this was the SPRING Sprints? It was 36 F with a feels like temp of 29 F
at 8:11pm! Then Wednesday we woke up to SNOW! Crazy times for sure! Kinda felt
like I was operating the January VHF contest LOL! 

Winds were a factor for operating location. In order to get some height (and
lower pole height) I went over to Centennial Park in Munster, IN. It's on the
side of an old/covered trash dump. Ouch mistake as the night lighting cause
horrible QRN. My apologies to anyone I couldn't hear although the band didn't
sound too good anyways. Left my driveway at 6:25p and was operational at 7:15 so
missed the start, argh! Given the QRN issue at the park I should have just
operated from home driveway or better yet drive a hour to run the grid corner
with rovers. 

After the 2m Spring last week, took our portable generator to get fixed ($80).
Also purchased a "Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM Deep Cycle" 105AH
battery. So this contest was to test out the battery. Used about 7.5 watts
(0.59A * 12.44V) on receive and about 86 watts on xmit (7A * 12.32V). So maybe
could have lasted about 12 hours with this configuration? Only about 0.12V drop
off on xmit was nice. Can't get the genesis charger to charge it past 75% so
took it back and the store is charging it. I either get a new battery tomorrow
or their charger pushes it to 100%. Nice to know now that I could operate the
home station (IC-7300) if needed with it. 

Honorable mentions: 
* A passerby asked if I was putting up a flag pole. Then offered to help after I
told him it was for radio. 

* I forgot my phone, wallet, and glasses (drove with sunglasses on) at home!
Didn't notice until I was all set up. XYL delivered them to me when she heard my
phone beeping, HAH! Glad the police didn't visit and ask for my driver's
license! 

* How can I forget the socket wrench and a grid square map?! Luckily the
emergency car tool bag had a socket wrench that worked...whew! 

About three hours total (door to door) for six QSOs! I need to work on my rate
LOL! 

FT-817 (5 watts) 
Elecraft XV222 (about 25-30 watts) 
Homemade WA5VJB 6L beam @ 24' 
Custom W9IIX tire support and mil surplus poles (4' sections) 

Best of health to all, 
Eric


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