Back at 0000z, it was time for 80m. That seemed terribly early to my senses, but the higher bands hadn't stayed open, and it was an hour after sunset. I found a spot high in the band and had a good run. Scanning 80m, I found myself heading to 160m at 0135z, which seems early. It was.
The rest of the contest was a concerted effort to find rate somewhere on the low bands. 160m yielded good results. 80m was a surprise. I ran for a solid hour just below 3700. Rates were good, and the last ten meter peaked at over 200/hour.
The 80/40/20m trap dipole was a stellar performer on 80m, and gave good results on 40m, too.
The K9AY loops WORK. They were greatly beneficial on 40 and 80m, and there were perhaps a dozen or more contacts I would not have completed without them. In
some cases signals that were not audible on the transmit antenna were Q5 on one of the loops. Often the signal would disappear on any other combination of loops. My push-button controller is a little cantankerous. The SE button tends to stick sometimes. I think I need to replace that switch.
I forgot about using diversity reception on the K3 until about the last hour of the contest. It was helpful on 160m.
Overall, I'm satisfied with the performance of the station. Desk is at the right height, the antennas seem to be working, my headset didn't crush my head. Perhaps I need a more comfortable chair.
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