[UK-CONTEST] 144MHz UKAC Contest

[Ian Burns]

I didn't expect to be on for this one as the replacement driven elements 
for the antennae still haven't turned up. Both of the driven elements 
have split and let water in. However, the swr looked ok so decided to 
give it a go.

I could barely hear GB3ANG which is usually above the noise most of the 
time, PI7CIS was down, HB9HB was just detectable.

Called CQ for several minutes before I got any answer. But once started 
the rate was fairly steady for the first hour. Concentrated on working 
UK before turning the antenna to the continent when the rate dropped. 
Then did about an hour of S&P trying to fill missing squares.

Finished up with 15 UK squares and 87Q's. In there were 3xGM, 3xGI, 
1xDL, 2xON, 3xF, 1xPA, 1xGW, the rest being G's. Heard two other GM's 
working people but never found them to work.

My location has certainly got noisier in recent years, and I've recently 
had to add another dB of loss between antenna and receiver to filter out 
broadcast stuff from Wrotham. Suspect that I am now several dB worse 
than 5 years ago.

K3, Javornik II, 400W, 2x17ele.

73
Ian.

On 03/02/2011 12:56, Stewart GM4AFF wrote:
> I thought I'd give it a whirl, but my amp is broken (8874...) so I was just
> running 100w. This appears to be not enough to even raise a QRZ with most
> callers, so I only managed to work about 10 stations - one who was>600km
> away.
> However, my point is that 100w is adequate power for inter-UK working from a
> good site with a 17ele yagi, and is not getting heard my so many CQ-ers, who
> were reasonably loud with me. I called MANY people who I could hear, to no
> avail. Yet, back in the early 70's I was able to work loads just running 10w
> from a Liner 2 to a Parabeam.
> So what's changed?? It can't all be computer noise.
>
> 73
> Stewart
> GM4AFF
> (IO86ST)
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
> [mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ray James
> Sent: 03 February 2011 01:45
> To: UK Contesting
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] Feb 2m UKAC Contest Report
>
>
>
> An interesting evening.
> Decided to give "Lover's Drop" in IO76XA an airing for this contest.
>
> Arrived on site a bit late, just 20 minutes to the off.
> At least the rain had stopped on the drive up the hill but t'was still a
> very cold task putting the mast and antenna together and installed on a
> wheel based support.
>
> Unfortunately I'd parked on a bit of a gradient so the antenna wasn't
> exactly pointing at the horizon so that's noted for future events.
> The spot was originally chosen so my xyl (book worm and torch holder) had a
> superb view of the cities and towns of central Scotland all lit up below us
> to look at whilst I played radio.
>
> Armstrong method of rotation so I was popping out the car at regular
> intervals to point in different directions during a relaxed S&P and
> occasional run session.
>
> Numerous cars and vans would appear, then lights out, music, steamed up
> windows and depart, to be replaced by others at regular intervals.
> After 2 hours of this I just said to the wife "have these folk not got beds
> to go to?". Obviously not!
>
> I was pleasantly surprised at the number of GM's worked or heard.
> Almost 20 though I now know there were more from further north that I never
> heard despite looking that way numerous times. It's not the best spot for
> the north east through to west due to local screening unfortunately.
>
> G3ZVW IO80, G4RRA IO80, M0GHZ/P IO81 and M0BRA/P IO91 were heard throughout
> the contest from the deep south. G4BRK IO91 was the sole cw contact. Having
> lived and operated in South Wales and know how tough it can be to get out of
> the valley's in this direction, 2W0VAG/P IO81 (Rhondda) was a pleasure to
> get in the log. 38 contacts and 14 multipliers was a satisfactory result
> evening though I did finish 15 minutes early when S&P dried up and CQ's went
> unanswered. Still didn't arrive home until 23.30.
>
> Weather permitting, I'll try to activate IO76 whenever possible for the 2m
> UKAC. 70cm, 23cm and 13cm UKAC's will be done from the comfort of home.
>
> 73 Ray GM4CXM/P
> IO76XA
>
> IC910HX 100w 7el
>
>
>
>
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