[UK-CONTEST] AFS CW

[MM0BQI]

Decided to make more of an effort this year!  Main problem here in central Edinburgh is the constant noise on 80m which ramps up after 1600 to well over S9.  The plan was to set a target of 100Qs before 1600 and then work whoever I could here after that.
Conditions seemed very good, starting about 3530 I worked my way up the band then down again listening particularly between spots on the N1MM bandmap for the stations I had missed.  I suspect there were a lot more stations to work but they were covered up by the noise.  Couple of attempts to run but S and P was much more productive.
Ended up with 123 Qs so very pleased with my efforts for three hours of operating.
I made a new 40/80 trapped dipole just before Christmas as the old one was suffering from moisture damage.  This has a much better 2:1 SWR bandwidth and the tuner in the K3 coped well over the rest of the band.
Great to hear all the 'early campers' marking their frequency.  Best I heard was a station testing for a good 20 minutes before the contest then suddenly bursting into an imaginary QSO with an over that lasted about 90 seconds then it was straight into CQ contest.  He had lots of initial callers so I am sure some others must have had a little chuckle as well!
Great fun thanks for the Qs, working next wekend so will miss the SSB leg.
73
Jim,  MM0BQI
GMDX