[UK-CONTEST] G4FNL CC SSB event this eve

[g4fka at aol.com]

Struggle? Very nearly self destructed!
 
Came on an hour beforehand. Difficulty working anyone. Two or  three weakish 
QSOs then half an hour fruitless CQs and others slotting in  very close either 
side. Couldn't they hear me? 
 
Contest started. Nearly two minutes before any response to CQs, 6 minutes  
before no 2. 
 
Went S&P - no-one hearing me. 11 minutes in and only 4 QSOs. Then  discovered 
that for 71 minutes I'd been transmitting into the wrong  antenna (a short 
vertical). Just at that point the right antenna snapped,  blowing against 
branches in the wind. Toolbox out, fixed it, toolbox  away, back in the shack. Then 
the power supply went. Toolbox out, open  PSU, find problem, fix it, toolbox 
away, all working. Check time, 21:26.
 
Grand total - 4 QSOs.
 
Aaaaaaaggggghhhhhhhhh!
 
 
Geoff G4FKA