[UK-CONTEST] CQWW CW SOSB/160 QRP G4EDG

[G4edg at aol.com]

After having entered SOSB QRP on all bands 80 to 10 over the past few  years, 
it was time to have a go at 160 QRP. I was generously offered a seat at  Jan’
s, G0IVZ to use his antenna set-up. Over 2 weekends we put up two inverted  
vees, one at 120’ firing E/W and another at 100’ firing N/S as well as a 600’  
beverage in a westerly direction. So even with just 5Watts I was hoping for 
big  things! I was not to be disappointed; the first hour resulted in 38 Qs, 6 
Zones  and 28 countries. Working North America was reasonably easy, but my 
little  signal lacked the oomph to work the Caribbean, even when I was calling 
alone,  either due to finding them first or during a lull in the pileup….a few ?? 
but  that was all, although I did manage VP9I, I think the terrific 
performance of  the beverage increased my expectations a bit too high! Enjoyed cracking 
the  pileups of the closer in stuff. Conditions on the second day seemed a 
little  down on the first, and I couldn’t really work anything to the east until 
after  2030…….well into darkness. UA9 (Z17) was the furthest east worked. 
So the result after 48 hours was  293 Qs 10 Zones and 59 countries…..24771 
points 
Gear used was a little unconventional, for receive an old Kenwood R-820  Rx 
with 500 and 250 Hz filters, and on transmit a homebrew TX with a pair of  
2SC1971s in the final. This set-up is full QSK…. essential for pileup cracking  
using QRP. 
Most disconcerting moment…………seeing my SWR/Power meter reading over  5Watts 
when receiving, whilst Jan was operating on 40M………sorted with a 160m  BPF! 
Hats off to the great scores by those in the HP category. 
73 Steve G4EDG