[RSM] K3KU in Manitoba Paradise

Art Boyars artboyars at gmail.com
Sun Jun 2 19:03:14 EDT 2019


This copy of my posting to the PVRC Reflector is actually about my very
brief operation in WPX CW.  I had about an hour available when I got on
Saturday night about 10:30PM (0230Z Sunday). PEPCO's K3RFI, with the
impetus from neighbor K2PBS, had again fixed the buzzing RFI.  I could
actually hear some Europeans on 80M, but decided to start on 40M.

I checked the tuning of the dipole, found a "clear" (Ha!) spot and pushed
the F1 button for a CQ. The SWR started jumping up. I sent a CQ with the
paddles and everything looked OK -- except no response.  I found a USA
station and worked him to see if I was getting out.  Then I worked a VE7.
Funny -- it looks like SWR is OK when sending with paddles, but is jumping
up when keying from computer.

I tuned up around 7065 and found another "clear" spot to try to
investigate.  I sent my call one time to make sure I was not bothering
anybody. Whoa !!!  Somebody called me and sent a report! I logged it, sent
my report, and listened to see who was CQing there.

It was VE4EA, my Winnipeg buddy and host.  What a kick.  (Turns out the op
was probably VE3KI remote; he and Cary were doing a multi-op.)

SWR was still jumping, but now on both paddles and computer.  At least it's
not something weird, but apparently time to check the antenna and feedline
again.

I QSYed up a little and called CQ.  Get an immediate answer from VE4VT, Ed,
another Winnipeg friend.

Any contest where I work MB is a success. Two in a row like that is
paradise.

I continued calling CQ for a few minutes with the SWR jumping around.  Got
a few Big Gun Europeans, then S&Pd VY2TT.  Then I gave up.  That antenna
problem needs fixed.

Eight QSOs.  Log submitted late, but I don't think I have to worry about
losing out on any award.

Spent a few hours Sunday working on the antenna.  One halyard snagged
hopelessly when trying to pull it up.  On Monday I got my friend the archer
to come over and launch a new line (see page 12 here:
https://pvrc.org/Newsletters/dec12.pdf)  All OK now, but I see that I am
going to have to replace some of the feedline and the flexweave antenna
wire.  That's the cost of using trees for supports.

73, Art K3KU
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