[UK-CONTEST] BERU-2003 G3LZQ

[John]

CALLSIGN:      G3LZQ.     Restricted.

CLAIMED-SCORE: 4345

                 160m  80m  40m  20m  15m  10m  Total

     QSOs:    0      37     35      55     36     30     193
    Bonus:   0      30      31      49     30     29     169
   Points:    0    185    175    275   180   150     965
   Band Call Areas 114.       Actual Call Areas 38

Had hoped this year to get nearer Peter's score G3LET.   Despite early
warnings it was "My weekend" I ended up operating to suit social conditions
due to unexpected (but welcome) guests. After a hasty reschedule of plans I
could fit in 12-hrs without too much hassle. Part of this was an early start
Sunday at 0430z for 3.5 hrs on 80/40 but as Don (G3BJ) commented it was
slooow 0430-0600z. Good signals from VE but was it a lack of activity? Luck
was out on a VE4 on 80 who was so weak gave up after several attempts to
pull him out. 80m Saturday evening at Sunset had shown great promise with
Bob down in VK1, ZL6QH, VK2BJ, ZL1AIH all between 1745-1756z much better
than previous 3-years. Sunday am only produced ZL2AGY and ZL2AZ at 0640z.
4S7NE,J88DR and VP2EN provided welcome bonus QSO's. Nigel and Dave being wkd
on 5-Bands. Excitement levels were raised when I thought I hrd Jim VK9NS wkg
VK2BJ on 80m Sunday am.

Like Peter (LET) I planned a final 1-hour after breakfast (0900-1000) to
collect those rare VK/ZL's on 10 and 15 what I did not anticipate or plan
was a power failure at 0916z which wiped out any possibility of a final
flourish.

Conclusions:
Need to look at a second radio to find other band mults.
Get into the habit of moving rare bonus stations.
Not sure if a Tribander (X-7) is enough fire power when restricted by
definition has to be mainly S/P to find those bonus stations. 3rd in line
makes it slow.   Rotators are slow..maybe fixed VE/VK/ZS antennas.
Missed a decent 40m antenna used the 80m 4-square /Dipole.

Another year flown by..what does it take to make BERU more appealing to
overseas stations? John VE3EJ and  Vlad  9H1ZA had high numbers. Also nice
to have a full quota of bonus QSO's from 5B4.

73 John