[UK-CONTEST] RUDXC

[Steve Knell]

I was pleasantly surprised by the volumes available in this contest.  This
coupled with scores of highly proficient UA operators made this event very
worthwhile.

I missed the start (as usual) setting up the station, with laptop, 2 x
radios, 2 x linears, filters, switches, food, microwave oven, cuddly toy,
etc. - it takes over an hour to set the station up (shack-in-a-field) - all
equipment has to be ferried across a field using a wheelbarrow (yes it is
madness).

I wasn't sure whether I would do the complete contest or not.  I just wanted
to test out the station after a BERU disaster.  I had a problem with my
keying lead at the start of BERU and had to give up after 6 hours due to
power failure in the shack.  The rates in the RDX contest seemed pretty good
on 15/10M at the beginning so I decided to keep going.

I managed to stay awake for the 24 hours - first time I've done this!

Conditions were good on HF - I was on 10/15 before 6AM (I had enough of LF
by this time after 8 hours of QRN (x2!)).

VP6DI was on 21020 (S9 SP @ 0900) on Sunday morning so the policemen were on
triple time...

I didn't really have any detailed strategy since it was the first time for
this contest.  There didn't seem to be many countries available (around 40
!?! per band) unless I missed 'em, but lots of UA callsigns and oblasts to
collect.

I have a 2ele delta for 80M which is almost ready to go but the single loop
seemed adequate for this contest.  160M was disappointing - didn't hear any
stateside.

I made ~1800 Qs for ~6.5M points (CW HP).

Thanks to F/G3VQO/P, GM4SID, EI4DW, M0TTT, GM3UA, G3LZQ, GW3NJW, G0MTN,
M0SDX et al for the mults.

73
Steve G0CKP