[CQ-Contest] [NCCC] ARRL 160m Contest K6KM @W6SRR

[Jim Brown]

On 12/7/2025 10:09 AM, Roberto Sadkowski via groups.io wrote:
> Why doesn't this Contest start when it's dark all across the US? Since 
> it's US centric? Oh, let me guess that would be too late for the East 
> Coast.

Because this contest is really for the east coast to work Europe, and 
21Z is when the band opens for them to Europe. That's what they do, and 
when the band closes to Europe, nearly all go to bed. And most with RX 
and/or TX antennas that put us in their null. A few will hang around to 
work JA, flipping their 4-squares.

I moved here from Chicago 20 years ago, and it took me about five years 
to figure this out, and I'd managed to work all states legal limit and 
with 100W in a weekend a couple of times. I haven't taken the 160M 
contest seriously since then. When noise levels were lower and QRP was 
effective, I worked it that way, and am missing VT and SC for WAS.

Now, I get on for a few hours and pass out Qs to those who are listening 
for us. I was on for a few hours last night. Conditions seemed pretty 
stinko. Running legal limit, I managed Qs with K1LZ (ME), W2GD (SNJ), 
and K2KW (VA), all in the noise. KP4AA was easy, PJ2T was fairly loud, 
but couldn't hear me.

I read on the CQ-Contest reflector that the band didn't open to EU 
Friday, and the east coast guys were listening west and couldn't find 
anyone to work. Funny about that.

73, Jim K9YC