[UK-CONTEST] AFS cw

[peter jackson]

15 minutes into the contest the swr meter went full scale! Had to lower the
antenna, it was a poor contact in the coax plug. New Year resolution to
always solder the screen when using PL259's outdoors. Lost about 30mins but
my frequency was still clear (might have been a bum one) everyone I worked
then had a much higher serial number some giving me 100 after only 45mins.
Nearly packed in. But sat back and enjoyed it with no pressure. Helped me
get over the post Christmas blues. In the event I ended up with only 20 less
than last year(205) when I was running 400watts with no breakdowns against
100watts this year. Maybe its the new rig Icom 756Pro111 maybe I am hearing
better, the filters are FB I use 500Hz in Run mode and 250Hzs in S&P.
     I thought conditions were great and operating was of a good standard
although a certain GM tried to work me 3 times and he had only 29 in his
log. Nice to work some M3's shows cw isn't going to die.
     I enjoy reading the soap box on this reflector, and it's good to know
others have the same problem as I using a shoe horn to erect an antenna in a
small garden.

    Data mode contests, especially RTTY are attracting increased entries,
this can be seen in the number of entries in our very successful CC
Championship, so why not have a AFS DATA next year?
73 Pete G3KNU