[Fourlanders] W4NH September VHF Contest Summary

[John Ackermann N8UR]

Hi Bob --

We had a slow weekend at N8GA as well but managed 71K points.  No real 
band openings at all.  For a change we didn't have any major equipment 
problems, which was nice.

73,
John
----

On 9/17/24 14:10, Bob Lear wrote:
> 
> 
> 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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> 
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