[Fourlanders] W4NH September VHF Contest Summary

[Bob Lear]

Summary report of the September VHF contest at the W4ZST station QTH. 
Operators for the contest were Kim WG8S, Bill KI4US, Jerry W5TDY, Ron 
WW8RR, Kos N4SDK, Jim W4KXY, Brad KM4QHI, Brian NX9Oand Bob W4ZST. We 
had visitors: Ashton KJ4AMA from Cleveland, Paul N4PAB from Dahlonega 
and Ryan W4RLW from Clarksville.  We did meet at Roosters for lunch on 
Saturday as usual and there were five of us were there carrying on the 
tradition.  The visitors were here for Saturday afternoon and dinner.   
We had plenty of operators.

Bill and Brian stayed 4 nights, Kim three, Jim, Kos and Ron one night.  
Jerry and Brad commuted. Bill did software updates and computer work on 
Thursday and Friday and got all the stations on the air and tested and 
on the computer network.  Brian was here working on his truck-portable 
902/1296/2304 EME station and was working on transverters and other 
devices too.  He did set up for 1296 EME for the contest on Saturday but 
a part on the rotator broke before he could do much and had to QRT for 
EME.  We did try to make some EME contacts on Saturday night on 144, 222 
and 432 but no success. It was reported by others that the Faraday 
rotation was locking us out.  Brian was seen and did see a signal on 222 
but no completion.  I had spent many hours over the week before and 
during the contest working on my finicky microwave gear.  It was very 
frustrating.  Almost all problems were weak receive.  Took most of the 
stations components and coaxes apart and tested individually.  Not sure 
we ever found the real problem.  Bill, Brad, Brian and Ron helped me a 
lot on Sunday afternoon with the troubleshooting.  I did finally make a 
few Q's  as seen in the score summary. I did work W4DEX on 902 CW this 
time as I had the 45W amp back on 900. First 902 Q I've made in years.  
Used to have good success on the mountain.  I'll likely make more 
changes for next contests.

Jerry's meals were great as usual.  Saturday night dinner was his 
excellent Brisket, Bean and Ham Soup, Cole Slaw, Corn Cheddar Cheese 
Jalapeno Casserole, Texas Toast and smoked Kielbasa sausage snacks.  He 
made us fried Eggs, Sausage and Pancakes for Sunday morning.  Sunday 
lunch and dinner we had leftovers and Brisket Quesadillas.  Thanks again 
as usual Jerry for feeding us so fine.  The brisket was fantastic.




The contest was very slow on Saturday and Sunday.  We were bored for 
much of the time with low activity and expecting a low score.  The 
contest was mostly digital again.  Little activity on CW and SSB even 
though the analog entry category was still available.

Out of country we only made 5 Q's into Canada and one to Chile on 6m.  
Of course, Monday 6m broke loose but to late for the contest! Ron and 
Brian stayed in the shack for the wee hours of Sunday morning for MS 
contacts on 6m for some multipliers.

Very few equipment problems this contest other than microwave. We ran 
the FT DX 3000 on 6m with the Beko and stacked 5 el beams.  The usual 2m 
station: Flex 1500, DEMI  transverter, LL amp and 2 x 12 stacked beams.  
Same for 222 but 2 x 15 beams and 432 with 2 x 25 el beams.  902 had 2 x 
33 el loop yagis and 1296 is 2x 45 el loopers.  9700 on 1296 and was the 
2m IF for 902.

I will be doing the fall EME contest weekends in Oct and Nov here and 
some Fourlanders will help with that.  Next contest is January 18-20.  
Also the June contest will be June 14-16 and September contest Sept 
13-15. Put that on your calendars.

73, Bob W4ZST




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