Topband: CQ WW Contest

[Mike Smith VE9AA]

Like my neighbour Dave/WHS here a few grid squares away to my SW, I found
condx "good" but certainly not great up here in Central New Brunswick,
Canada where I am nowhere at all near salt water, being in FN66na.

 

I (currently) run a small stn on 160m. Inverted L(more like a J these days)
and legal limit. No RX antennas.

 

I only operated Sat night in 2 small spurts for a total of 2hrs+53mins, but
managed 46 S/P and 31 countries in my very limited time on the band.  This
was about 75% running and 25% S&P.  I was really only on to work Da-boyZ @
VO2AC to show my support for their expedition, but when I didn't hear any
other NB stns on or see any spotted, I felt compelled to at least give the
deserving the chance to work the VE9 mult.  When the dust settled, Monday I
found out that there were at least 4 other VE9's QRV throughout the w/e so I
felt pretty good about that.

 

I don't think any VY2's were really on.but I digress.

 

I worked from N6TR(K7RAT) out to RL3A and a few of the PJ's to the south.
Nobody was what I would call "loud" by any stretch of the imagination. Most
EU's CQ'd in my face (or called me when they saw me spotted,but then
couldn't hear me reply)

 

Sometimes I think folks are confusing amazing condx with just a lot of
activity during a very popular contest weekend.  (at least in my
opinion)...Many times I have worked much stronger DX, regardless of beam
headings.

 

I'd characterize condx as "good" to perhaps almost "very good" but certainly
NOT  "fantastic/amazing/unforgettable" or other descriptors I've read here
and 3830scores.com.

 

But again.who am I to say.?....< 3 hrs on the band late Sat evening (NA
time) is a pretty myopic view I guess.

 

Mike  VE9AA "NB"

 

 

In my listening, I heard many stations farther south (W4 & W5) calling
stations and I was surprised that they could hear them at all, seeing how
weak they were here.  I began to think that something broke here!  K1DG was
on in Maine from his island in the middle of salt water, and he seemed to do
very well. I don't know what to say as I do not have the experience to
adequately explain what happened.  Maybe if I called CQ for more than 45
minutes total I would have a different feel for how condx were. My take is
that absorption can be quite variable over a fairly narrow geographical
area, say a few hundred miles. 

 

Dave K1WHS

 

 

Mike, Coreen & Corey

Keswick Ridge, NB