Topband: Conditions in ARRL 160 Contest

[Todd Enders]

	Here in ND, neither night was great, but Friday was better on most paths than
Saturday night.  Signal strengths Saturday night on the big guns were all over  
the map.
Guys like N0TT and K9DX went from S9+40 or better to S1 here.

	It was a tough slog QRP, especially compared to last year, when I had  
105/33 from
a poor QTH, skimpy ground system, etc., etc.  Moved to a better place this  
year, and had
a good 2,500' worth of radials planted, no close-in obstructions, etc., etc.,  
and thought I
was going to set the band on fire with 5W... :-/

	Ended up with 26/15, and getting heard was like pulling teeth with  
rusty pliers. :-/
Even so, I CQ'd a fair bit, and my spirits lifted when I had two guys call me  
at once. :-)
However, those were the *only* successful QSOs made calling CQ.  Had one guy call me
later, S9, and in the time it took to send the exchange at him, he was gone.

	Oh well, it *was* sort of fun, in a terribly frustrating, sadistic  
sort of way. :-)  I heard
three other ND stations running during the contest, so hopefully some of you  
ran into one
or more of them. :-)  I'm hoping for better conditions for the Stew Perry... :-)

73,

Todd, AG0T