Topband: Re CQ WW 160m Contest

[vk3io]

Hi all Topband contesters.

Using my 160m dipole, 100fth, which is not a great DX antenna for 
Topband, here in VK3, as far as I am concerned, this years contest was 
surprisingly good, but not great, summarized by the following:

1. No North, Central or South America heard or worked, except for three 
west coast USA and one VE7.

2. No Africa or India heard or worked (not unusual).

3. Only one KH6 heard, but not worked and no other pacific, except for 
two ZL stations.

4. Surprisingly low QRN, considering all the lightning throughout 
Australia. We have had mega lightning throughout VK in recent weeks and 
continue to do so. so I was very lucky. Not so lucky for most of VK or 
Pacific.

5. Great signals from Asia (JA & HS) on my first evening, not so good on 
my second evening. Did hear BH7 strong, but he did not hear me, which 
understandable, as not all DX stations have a low noise QTH or low noise 
RX antenna pointing to VK3 land (and even if they do, they may not use 
it, as the activity from VK is so low).

6. Great signals into Europe on my first morning (not very strong, but 
amazingly very clear copy, both ways), not so good on my second morning.

As I did not have a VFO tuning knob on my Anan7000DLE (had to use my PC 
mouse), I could not easily do search and pounce. I am waiting long time 
for Controller V2 delivery. So I had to try and find a clear frequency 
to call CQ on and for Europe this was almost impossible. Thank you for 
all those who tried to keep my frequency clear and for those who called 
me and could not make qso, due to European QRM. No doubt very difficult.

So on average, compared to the previous 30 years or so, it was good, not 
great, as for some years, the QRN is so high, I cannot hear anyone, or 
the prop is so bad, no qso's, except local are made.

Some years the DX signals were much stronger, but the DX could not hear 
me, because their QRM or QRN was so high.

Seldom are conditions good on both my evenings and both my mornings, if 
I am lucky it is one or the other, but not both.

Lastly, we in Australia, can now apply for a contest call sign, like 
prefix VL3, VJ3 or VK3A (single suffix letter), so in future watch out 
for this. Maybe I will get one, but maybe not, as I am now getting too 
old to be a big time contester.

I hope to meet you in CQ WW 160 SSB contest. Much more difficult and a 
challenge.

Cheers, from Ron. vk3io.