[UK-CONTEST] CC 2008 G3SJJ

[G3SJJ]

Interesting. The pundits say this one is all about strategy and it's 
true. I set myself two targets. To match last year's band totals and to 
make the most effective use of the 12 hours. I mirrored last year's 
schedule making only slight adjustments to start and finish times. 
1000-1200, 1300-1800, 2045-2245 and 0600-0900. Actually switched off at 
0830, but overall that schedule seems about right for UK stations. 
Certainly not worth bothering with the full 24 hours.

Band totals were amazingly similar
Bnd  2007   2008
80         19      20
40         62      64
20         93      75
15         17      21
10          1         0
Total   192    180

The main difference is 20m where I logged less non contest QSOs. Hourly 
rates also matched with 2 notable exceptions, 1500-1600 and 2200-2300 
were down on last year and 2100-2200 was up.

Notably the K3 was excellent on weaker stations, with the lower noise 
floor, so I could turn the AF gain up to maximum without being blasted 
out by band noise.It was also superb for handling string nearby signals 
on 80m. I still haven't cabled up for full SO2R so used the MP as a 2nd 
rx with a 40m delta loop, and QSYed the K3 when I found something I 
wanted to work.

Highlight wasa Big Sig report from 9M6LSC on 80m, considering I hadn't 
repaired the fallen 70ft gp and was using my standard 80m dipole at 60ft.

K3 and Acom 1000/ FT1kMP in SO2R (kind of)
A4S, 40m 2 el phased gp, 80m dipole.

Good, now back to domestics and preparing lunch for visitors. Oh, I 
forgot, to balnace things, we had a sueprb Italina fish dinner last 
noght accompanied with an organoc Veronese wht, and pannacotta dessert.

Chris G3SJJ