[UK-CONTEST] G6PZ WPX CW

[Paul Beecham]

Comments:Summary:

Call: G6PZ
Operator(s): G0RTN
Station: G6PZ

Class: SO(A)AB HP
QTH:Easrertown Somerset, Operating Time (hrs): 36

Band  QSOs
------------
  160:   36
   80:  325
   40:  378
   20: 1231
   15:  578
   10:  182
------------
Total: 2730  Prefixes = 853  Total Score = 5,033,994


I'll do a more sensible write up when I get some sleep.

Paul only decided he was able to do the contest from G6PZ on Friday and was
looking for operators.  I decided operating from G6PZ would be more fun than
just playing from home with 100 Watts and a high doublet.  About 30 minutes
before the contest started, I 'persuaded' Paul that 2 of us wouldn't be
competitive as a multi-single especially as he had family commitments.  Decided
to go assisted because its the right level for dorks like me.  When you can't
get a run going, just point and click easy cluster spots, saves the time and
effort needed for real S&P.

Single Op in this contest is easy - with the 36 hour limit there's plenty of
time to sleep.  G6PZ is in the middle of an antenna upgrade.  The new 4 over 4
SteppIR stack ROCKS on the high bands.  I always felt loud.  Every pileup was
easy to break.  Whether picking up Sporadic E QSOs from other parts of Europe
or running into the states, it seemed only necessary to send your callsign a
few times for a pileup to emerge.  Of course, as an ordinary G station, no-one
sticks around if they don't work you quickly!  Managed to work both Japan and
California on 15, which I did not expect with a SFI of 68 and a woeful A index.
 On 20, the stack kicked serious ass into the Western USA in our late evening. 
In fact, I didn't even realise how poor conditions were until I did a SH/WWV on
Sunday evening.

The downside was that we are currently limited to a sloper on 40.  It worked,
but not the way the old 402CD did but  waiting for the 4 element Monster IR to go up soon to take it's place.
  
80 was  really tough with the summer QRN.  Heard a lot of US stations calling me
that I just couldn't pull through the noise.  Sorry.

Contesting is supposed to be fun.  This was lots of fun.  Thanks to everyone
who called in for making it that way.

73 

Gerry
G0RTN