[RSM] ARRL 160 Contest--VE3RUA

[Jack Parker]

Here's my summary of the 160 contest. Apparently things were quite
astonishing to EU at their sunrise Sunday. The Kenora QTH is very quiet
which allowed me to hear many stations that had no chance of hearing me. A
better TX antenna next year will help. We just have to figure out what will
be best for the city lot with lots of tall trees.

ARRL 160-Meter Contest   2018   Nov 30   Claimed Score

Call: VE3RUA
Operator(s): VE3RUA
Station: VE3RUA

Class: SO Unlimited LP
QTH: Kenora, ON--ONN
Operating Time (hrs): 14:30
Location: Canada

Total:    QSOs    271    Sections    70    Countries    2    Total Score
38,360



Club: Radiosport Manitoba

Comments:

I know some folks disagree but Saturday night was much better for me, at
least for hearing/working other NA stations. Stations that CQed in my face
Friday night were worked easily on Saturday night. Also Saturday night I
heard some EU stations (OM3RM and TM6M were notably loud) and quite a bit
of the Caribbean, where KV4FZ was also loud. I tried but worked no EU and
only C6AGU and XE2S outside W/VE. My noise level was quite low, with S3-4
noise on Friday night and S1-2 Saturday. I was using an Alpha Delta short,
loaded, dipole which worked fairly well but resonates below 1800kHz and is
very narrow.

I was able to run just a bit both nights and bit up a few good mults,
including the nemesis for both me and my XYL, Nebraska. I am glad I could
hand out ONN but did not work my own section. I heard one ONN who was S&P
Friday night but never copied a call. We have to work on that problem. I
really appreciate VE4GV being there for the MB mult. I did hear VE4EA
Friday night but Cary told me he had very, very, bad noise and could hear
few of the stations calling him.

All in all it was a good 160 contest but it wore me to a frazzle. I'll try
again next year, hopefully with a better antenna but space is limited at
the Kenora QTH.

-- 
73,

Jack, VE3RUA/K0JP
Shelley, K7MKL