[UK-CONTEST] NFD - G3XVR/P

[Rob - G4LMW]

The NADARS Low-power entry team arrived on site on Saturday morning to discover that our field had recently been fertilized with human waste. So one way or another, conditions were going to be s**t

The two Racal masts went up in no time. This year we tried a 270ft doublet between the masts fed with lightweight 75ohm flat twin. The idea was to keep the antenna as high as possible with minimum sag. This was achieved, with the centre being only 5 feet or so below the ends. I has been suggested that this feeder is excessively lossy at HF, so we may need to review for 2011

A small 900w generator was enough to power the 2 laptops and the PSU for the K3. This was a the first time that most of the ops had used a K3 and all agreed that it was a super rig - other than not knowing how to adjust the AGC to cope with the horrendous static crashes suffered on topband (any pointers welcome, otherwise I'll have to RTFM!).

We had a few teething problems getting the 2 laptops to network. Managed in the end, but didn't really use the 2nd receiver in the K3 much in any case. We used N1MM for logging. Again, this was a first for many of the ops and some were converted from their preferred software.

We dived straight into the fray on 10m from the off. Conditions were very good and we were pleased to make 40 or so QSOs before we could no longer be heard. After a short break and a few hours on the other HF bands we switched to topband, working 111 up until close at 0042. As previously mentioned, the static crashes made copy very difficult at times but Danny (G3XVR) coped manfully while the rest of us quaffed ale and wine into the small hours. Unfortunately, I quaffed more than most.

We opened again at 0645 managing a few more QSOs on 10m. I had to be awakened at 0700 as I had put my tent too near the operating shelter and despite the use of noise cancelling headphones, my Speckled Hen induced throat reverberations were causing too much QRM. My penance was to cook a full English breakfast which went down well with all.

We continued until 1020 GMT, at which point our 12 hours were spent.

292 QSOs in all.

The weather stayed kind and we all agreed that it had been tremendous fun. Certainly my favourite NFD so far (with special thanks to the Morland brewery)

Totals:
160m = 111
80m = 10
40m = 59
20m = 53
15m = 4
10m = 55

Operators: Danny (G3XVR), Richard (G3ZGC), Paul (G3WYW), Rob (G4LMW), Bill (M0TDW).

Photos here: http://www.nadars.org.uk/photos.asp?Album=NFD%202010%20%28G3XVR/P%29

73, Rob
G4LMW
http://www.G4LMW.co.uk