N6ZFO: 2016 ARRL CW Sweepstakes

Operator(s): N6ZFO, N0KQ
Station: N6ZFO

Class: Multi-Single HP ("M")
QTH: SF
Operating Time (hrs): 21

Club: Probably MLDXCC.

Summary:
Band QSOs
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80: 175
40: 105
20: 415
15: 262
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Total: 957 Sections = 83 Total Score = 158,862

Equipment: FT-1000MP MkV with Alpha 86 (amp used on 20 and 15 only).

Antennas: Innov K7NV+ multi-monoband beam; 4 el on 15 and 3 on 20. 40m DE Zepp on 40 and 80m.

Comments:Still some bugs to work out with Amp connection to wire antennas for 40 and 80m so the effort was a hybrid of 200w on 40 and 80 m and 1.4KW on 20 and 15.

Sweep obtained with ease. . called by a VO1 on 20m Sunday morning, his #9, then worked the dependable VO1MP later. All sections worked at least twice except for NT, ONE and VI. Multiple NE and RI QSO's. Two of 3 RI stations worked in the last hour on 40m. Unlike in CQP, AK was everywhere.

Someone commented on the frustration from those who use cut numbers in the exchange; even worse are the several ops who sent the exchange elements out of order! I did pause in the middle of a pileup of stations to suggest to a W8 that he not use cut numbers after the 2nd repeat.

Missed setting the SF Section record for "M" class (HP) by about 20 qso's; however I would have felt a little bad if we had beat it, as it is the single remaining SF record held by the much admired contesting idol Bip, W6BIP, for whom Sweepstakes was a favorite event going back into the 30's.

Offered score to REDXA this year, but think I was rejected. K6JS tried valiantly to fit me in by moving the club center, but sadly the Marin REDXA members and I are exactly 74 miles apart, rather than the 70 required for local club entry.. Even a major slippage along the San Andreas fault would not resolve this situation, as the fault cuts through west Marin.

73 Bill n6zfo