[SCCC] CQWW CW W6PH SOAB(A) HP

[W6ph at aol.com]

 CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW



Call: W6PH

Operator(s): W6PH

Station: W6PH



Class: SOAB(A) HP

QTH: Alabama Hills, Lone Pine CA

Operating Time (hrs): 42



Summary:

 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries

------------------------------

  160:    9     7        6

   80:  222    26       55

   40:  508    35      105

   20:  492    35      113

   15:  631    33      116

   10:   75    20       37

------------------------------

Total: 1937   156      432  Total Score = 3,178,728

 

Comments:



Equip: K3, FTdx3000, Expert 1.3K-FA  Win-Test

Antennas:  Four AB-577 masts 60 feet high

160- MA160V (regular 160 antenna not working)

80 - Two 1/4 wave slopers, east and west below the yagis

40 - 40-2CD yagi

20 - 3L yagi 

15 - 5L yagi (N8SM design)

10 - 5L yagi (N8SM design)



This was my first shot at real assisted operation.  Last year I just 
watched DX

Summit.  This year I was connected with an AR-Cluster with a great filter

designed by my friends K1GQ and WA1Z. I operated with the K3 and used the

FTdx3000 solely to show the Radio 2 band map so I could see what was 
happening

on another band.  This information was valuable in deciding what to do 
next.  I

only did some clicking on Sunday morning to pick up European multipliers 
during

our mutual one hour of propagation on 15 meters.  Otherwise I used the

assistance as an information tool while tuning.  On several occasions I 
would

have passed a good multiplier if I had not had the cluster alert that it was

there.  The big knob still rules.



I thought conditions were not very good.  I had very high atmospheric noise 
on

the low bands both nights.  Despite that noise I still felt I did well on 80

meters.  I had very little 10 meter propagation.  I tuned to many of the 
spots

I was getting from western stations and heard nothing.  I have  mountains 
five

miles west of me that rise to 14,500 feet and effectively cut off any low 
angle

signals in the Pacific.  The 15 meter window to Europe was only open for 
about

one hour both days.  But the old adage that there are no meters like 40 
meters

still rings true.  I tuned 20 meters during the night but never heard any

signals.  The bands are truly on the decline.



My antenna set up is temporary for the CQWW contest and will be taken down

today and stored.  I usually put them up during the week before if I have 
days

without winds that are prevalent this time of year in the high desert.



I have found a downside to my new Expert amp.  My shack is out behind the

garage and I could always count on my old AL1200 to keep the room warm.  
Now I

have to have a heater in the room as the Expert amp runs so cool.  Thank

goodness for all the protections built into that amp.  But that is another

story!



I adhere to the W6SX Prime Directive to have fun.  And it still is after 60

years of contest operating.



73, Kurt W6PH