[RSM] ARRL 160 Contest--VE3RUA

[Tom Haavisto]

Hi Jack

I am here at PJ2T, so I missed the 160 contest.  Hence - ONN was a tough
one this time around.  I guess no VE3ZI either.

I do have a few ideas for a 160 antenna that may do the trick for you.  The
first would be an inverted L off your tower - once you get it standing.  I
used one for several years, and managed DXCC on 160 with it.  That said, it
generated LOTS of RF in the shack!  The other would be to install a loaded
vertical, like a Butternut vertical.  VE2GK used one.  Problem is - it is
heavily loaded (as it to be expected), making for narrow bandwidth.  But -
no radials required, and it seems to radiate...

Funny story as part of this:  The antenna is quite tall.  He also lives on
a city lot, so he was able to hide it inside a tree in his back yard.  But
- if you look closely at the tree, you will see some aluminum sticking out
the top.  He was talking to some kids in the neighbourhood, and they said
"Hey Mister.  Whats that?" So, he explained it was for lightning
protection, and he was protecting the neighbourhood!  They were quite
excited to hear that and said "Gee - thanks mister for looking after the
neighbourhood!"


Tom - VE3CX





On Sun, Dec 2, 2018 at 5:18 PM Jack Parker <vhfplus at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
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