[UK-CONTEST] G5W - CQWW CW MS

[Don Beattie]

 CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW

Call: G5W
Station: G3BJ

Class: M/S HP
QTH: Nr Ludlow
Operating Time (hrs): 48

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries
------------------------------
  160:  419    17       73
   80: 1260    27      103
   40: 1263    34      125
   20: 1195    34      123
   15: 1056    30      122
   10:   98    21       78
------------------------------
Total: 5291   163      624  Total Score = 8,092,721

Club: Chiltern DX Club of UK

Equipment: 3 x FT1000MP/MkV
2 linears
10 ele 10-40 yagi @ 80ft
3 ele steppIR yagi @ 60ft
90ft vertical
Dipoles 80/160
K9AY loops
Cushcraft R5 (spotting station)

Comments:

For a number of reasons, the team here was almost entirely new. G3SJJ,
G3RTE, G4FNL, GU4CHY, M3CVN and myself. So we all had a bit of learning to
do, as there are a few little idiosyncrasies of the station here that take a
bit of getting used to. But we had a good time - the LF Bands were awesome,
and even 28 MHz gave a good account of itself. Running a big pile up of US
stations on 160 was one lasting memory from one of my operating spells.

After the dire forecasts of gales and severe storms over the weekend, I had
lowered the towers a little and re-guyed them. Come the Friday, it was
obvious that it was not going to happen, so up the towers went again to full
height. In the end the most we got was about 20-30 knot winds.

Prior to the contest I had had a few problems with the interface between the
new SteppIR Yagi on the mult station and the rigs, but this was solved
thanks to a neat bit of software from Marios, G0WWW, which not only
instructs the SteppIR  to track the relevant transceiver, but also inhibits
use of the relevant linear whilst the antenna is still retuning itself after
a band change (thanks Marios)

The WinTest network worked flawlessly and never dropped out or threw a
wobbly. 100% cluster connectivity as well. So Murphy stayed away, and we had
a great time.

I think we probably missed out on a number of mults, as although the score
is above last year, I think conditions were significantly ahead, so we have
some work to do on our technique. But a good weekend and thanks to all who
came to operate and join in the fun.

Thanks for all the QSOs guys.

73

Don, G3BJ