[SCCC] ARRL DX CW Contest

[Bob Grubic]

ARRL DX CW Contest
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Call: HP8/NC6Q
Operator(s): NC6Q
Station: DX Portable
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Class: Single Op QRP (Unassisted)
QTH: Farallón, Panama
Operating Time: couple hours
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Summary
Band QSOs
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80
40      1
20   10
15     7
10
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  18    (15 mults)    Total
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Points: 810
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Club: Southern California Contest Club
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Comments:
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Rig: KX3 dialed down to 5 watts
Antenna: 20 meter wire ground plane antenna on telescopic mast, with base
up about 20 feet and about 30 feet from Pacific Ocean at high tide.
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This operation was originally going to be a multi-single effort working
with other Panamanian hams using a special call sign of HP8T, but with the
government congested due to the Pope's visit in Panama not allowing getting
the call sign in time, and one op's gall bladder operation, and another
op's business commitment, it had to be cancelled. So, my wonderful wife
said, "why don't you just take that little radio?" (God bless her!) Then,
because of family commitments in Panama including a wedding on Saturday an
hour away and helping an electrician on Sunday, I managed to squeeze in a
couple hours of operating, mostly Sunday morning. What a different
perspective it is to operate QRP in a contest. All S&P to the loudest CQ. I
would first send only HP8 then HP8/NC6Q after they came back to that. Had
to repeat it several times of course. My first goal was to just make ONE
contact!, then 5, then whatever I could manage! Each one was exciting!
Funny. I had hoped to hit 20 Qs operating in the very last hour, but it
wasn't in the cards. lol  I imagine several people were surprised to
receive my 5 watt exchange. What a great radio is the KX3! It even tuned up
my 20m GP to 40 and 15 meters. The only CA station I worked was NA6O on
15m. I am truly thankful for everyone who pulled me out of the noise. 'Twas
short but a lot of fun! 73