[SCCC] VP9/W6PH ARRL DX CW SOAB LP

[W6ph at aol.com]

ARRL DX Contest, CW

Call: VP9/W6PH
Operator(s):  W6PH
Station: VP9GE

Class: SOAB LP
QTH: Bermuda
Operating Time  (hrs): 39.1

Summary:
Band  QSOs   Mults
-------------------
160:  337     47
80:  584    56
40:  1030    58
20: 1341     60
15:  406    51
10:    0      0
-------------------
Total: 3698   272  Total Score =  3,017,568

Comments:

IC7000  Win-Test 4.23 (CT on  steroids)
160  Dipole at 30 feet
80   Dipole at 25  feet
40   Dipole at 28 feet
20-15 Cushcraft A4S at 30  feet

I did this much more casually than in previous years. This was my  18th
consecutive year for the ARRL's in Bermuda.  At age 75 I'm starting  to 
lose the
energy and motivation that I once had.

It is evident that  we are near the bottom of the solar cycle.  This is the
first year that  I can remember where I didn't work a single station on 10
meters even though  I checked the band often.  I never heard a single 
station
other than a  couple weak back scatter stations who couldn't hear me.

Fifteen meters  acted like 10 meters with spotty propagation to different 
areas
of the  US.  It was only open to the northeast in the morning but everyone  
was
busy working Europeans and couldn't hear me.  I missed several  northeast 
states
and provinces.  Because of the small foot print, my  rate on 15 was dismal 
but I
had to be there.  It was tough getting into  W6 as well.

Twenty and forty were the money bands.  Even though the  40m dipole is low 
it
really kicks butt.  Both bands had great  rates.

I have a severe S9 noise problem on 80 meters.  We have not  been able to 
solve
it and I have to manually move the antenna switch to 160  for receive to 
bring
the noise level down to S4.  I could use a third  hand to do this.
 
As usual K6NA was the loudest Calif station on 80 meters.  K6XX was  the 
only 
Calif station on 160m.

The most difficult state continues to be  Nebraska with North Dakota close
behind.  I never heard VY1 even though  I was told that they called me on 
20m. 
I was called by VO2AC on two bands  but didn't have the presence of mind to 
make
a schedule later in the  evening.  I had to ask for QSY's to fill in some 
of the
blanks on 15  meters and these were completed successfully by going to 
21088.

I tried  to sign my call often, at least no more than three contacts  
without
signing.  It seemed to work all right.  Late Sunday a pile  up formed on my 
CQ's
who were all dupes.  Either there was a bad spot or  a good mult on my 
frequency.
I sent my call three times slowly and the pileup  disappeared.  Cluster 
clickers
need to confirm the call of the station  they are calling.

I have to thank my host, Ed, VP9GE.  He is a  fantastic guy and bends over
backward to make sure everything is okay.   I also need to compliment my 
IC7000
which I have used continuously since 2006  without a single hiccup.  It is 
the
ultimate expedition radio  considering size and performance.  I bring it as
carry-on.  TSA  seems to be more concerned with my Vibroplex paddle than the
radio.

I  will be back for the ARRL Phone.

73, Kurt  W6PH