[UK-CONTEST] 144MHz AFS - M0VFC

[Robert Chipperfield]

Hi all,

This was my third year entering 144MHz AFS - if you can count the 10 
QSOs I managed in 2009 as an entry, and in many respects it was very 
similar to last year's. Equipment wise, there were a few minor tweaks, 
with the addition of a mast-head pre-amp, but an inferior coax run (my 
RG-213 rather than borrowed Ecoflex 15) out of convenience.

After putting together the beam and getting it on the mast last night, I 
started testing everything, and quickly found two things I wasn't 
expecting: the linear doesn't pass DC when in receive, and my pre-amp 
sequencer appears to have ~6dB of loss through it! A quick workaround 
running a separate 13v DC supply to the pre-amp, and all seemed to be 
well. Two low-pass filters sat next to the front door in case any 
neighbours with TVI issues presented themselves (though fortunately none 
did).

Only moderate wind meant I left the Scam 12 up overnight, so this 
morning was a relatively relaxed affair, sitting down just before 0900 
with a mug of coffee and some toast. As someone who normally operates /P 
with reasonable set up work before any contest, the warm and ready-to-go 
shack made a pleasant change.

The contest got off to a relatively slow start, with 23 QSOs in the 
first hour, but things would only get slower from there, with the 
subsequent hours being another 23, 21, 15, 6, 7, 5, and 6 QSOs. Not 
exactly rampant pile-ups! A smattering of European stations were worked 
in the earlier hours of the contest, with ODX being DF2VJ at 580km, but 
activity was largely just England, with the welcome addition of GM4JR, 
GM4PPT, GD8EXI, GW8ASD  and GW8JLY as well.

The final (claimed) numbers are: 105 QSOs (+ 1 dupe), 15,592 points - 
almost identical to last year. Rig was an IC-7000 + 100w Microwave 
Modules linear and SSB Electronics pre-amp, feeding a 9-ele Tonna at 12m 
AGL, 10m ASL.

After the contest, I joined M1BXF and M0MJH (who operated G3PYE/P), 
M0BLF and M0LCM for a much-needed curry and debrief. We'd all very much 
enjoyed the day, but definitely agreed that it could usefully have been 
a couple of hours shorter! I believe the comment "this makes 23cm seem 
fast-paced" was made at one point, tongue very much inserted into cheek. 
On the brighter side, it did mean Flossie got an early spring clean: 
http://twitpic.com/7ob81f

If a change in length does happen, though, it's probably worth trimming 
the time off the end rather than the start, so as to keep maximum 
overlap with the French contest which ran concurrently until 1200Z. It 
would also allow portable stations to tear down in daylight.

So, in the AFS stakes, three down, three to go - look forward to working 
you all in 80m AFS, or on 2m this Tuesday!

73,
Rob, M0VFC