[CQ-Contest] 160 SSB

[john devoldere, ON4UN]

Hi there:

I am sure Steve (VK6VZ) will not mind me quoting from an E-mail he sent me:


G'day John

Fascinating stuff.

I only managed to work three Europeans, although signals were quite strong
(S7 - S9 from many) and I called at least 15 stations!  This is fairly
typical, as many stations in the CQ 160 SSB seem to have a good Tx
capability, but only a poor rx.  You were the first European I worked and I
had almost given up when you came back - you have very good ears indeed!

When I called you and you came straight back, it was terrific - your signal
was R5 S7/8 - I have heard you much stronger on CW in the past, so it is
interesting my signals were so strong!

.................

However, after working you and two other Europeans (SO2R, LX9UN) I had the
most amazing SSB QSO I have ever had on 160.  Through LX9UN, who was
struggling to pull me out of the QRM, I heard VY2ZM calling me.  We worked
right on my sunrise and Jeff's signals peaked S5.  I also got an SWL report
from K6ND Will, who heard me make the QSO with Jeff, from his temporary
station in MA.

Vy 73,

Steve, VK6VZ

My conclusion: good ears (= phased  offset beverages or similar) is what is
important!

73

John, ON4UN
----- Original Message -----
From: "Martin Luther" <luther at penalvagold.net>
To: "cq-contest" <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 25, 2003 12:53 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] 160 SSB


> I listened for a while, but you really have to be keen!
>
> >From 1045Z on my SAT evening I was hearing the following
> K8CC on1.847
> N0FW on 1.850
> K9NR on 1.8551
> A bit later N7GP on 1.858
>
> Later still WE3C on 1.841
>
> I listened and called until 1200z when they seemed to get weaker and I
went
> to bed. I heard K9GR work another VK5 and later VK3 didn't hear whether
the
> others got through. VK3IO and VK3ZL were in there calling as well. I think
> 3IO has a dipole at 100ft and 3ZL has phased verticals and they were not
> being heard either.
>
> I use an 80ft vertical with a good ground screen.
>
> Most of the time when I called they didn't even notice I was there. Only a
> couple of times did they QRZ me.
>
> Given the strength of their signals, even with the power differences to my
> 400wattsPEP I still should have been in there receivers at S7 to 9 .
Clearly
> the QRM levels are hopeless or the receive setups on these stations are
poor
> (unlikely). There is sometimes one way skip on 160 but not usually for
over
> an hour.
>
> How do we manage a two way QSO? Is split an option?
>
> I'm sorry guys I do not have the patience for this current type of
> operation.
>
> 73
>
> Martin VK5GN
> Luther at penalvagold.net
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>     The world's top contesters battle it out in Finland!
> THE OFFICIAL FILM of WRTC 2002 now on professional DVD and VHS!
>        http://home1.pacific.net.sg/~jamesb/
> ---------------------------------------------------------------
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>