[UK-CONTEST] SSB FD M0VSQ/P

Wed Sep 7 13:46:34 PDT 2011

Ken,

Thanks for your words of encouragement. The 'group' consists of two or 
three more experienced operators and roughly an equal number of 
operators who have come from a mostly VHF FM background but who wished 
to get stuck in to HF, which is, quite honestly, fantastic!

The aim for the SSB FD weekend was to not come bottom of the table and 
to have a jolly good time while doing it. From my point f view we've 
been successful on both counts. As Darrell said there are many lessons 
learned, which is also a very positive outcome. Initial planning is 
already under way for CQWW SSB in October. I really don't think 30 feet 
is high enough for the tri-bander, so next time we will attempt a 50 
foot mast, and hopefully leave ourselves adequate time to make sure the 
beam is working correctly, from ebay to contest was about 2 weeks and 
considering that it had a complete overhaul whilst I was working full 
time we did the best we could. ;-)

Myself, I am a CW operator, but did quite enjoy SSB FD. I am hopeful 
that as more members of M0VSQ learn CW that we'll also be able to 
partake in those events, and potential some RTTY events too.

We have discussed short contest call signs, though I did have a look at 
the application form and I'm not sure we really meet the criteria just 
yet, but perhaps someone here can clarify whether that would be a 
problem or not?

The actual score from the raw log are:

Contest         : IARU Field-Day R1 (RSGB)
Callsign        : M0VSQ/P
Mode            : PHONE
Category        : Multi Operator - Single Transmitter (MS)
Overlay         : Open
Band(s)         : All bands (AB)
Class           : High Power (HP)
Zone/State/...  :
Locator         :
Operating time  : 20h16

  BAND   QSO DUP DXC  POINTS   AVG
----------------------------------
    80    85   0  10     401  4.72
    40   270   7  37    1093  4.05
    20   190   5  36     716  3.77
    15    27   2  14      79  2.93
    10     2   0   1       6  3.00
----------------------------------
TOTAL   574  14  98    2295  4.00
==================================
       TOTAL SCORE : 224 910

Dupes are not included in QSO counts neither avg calculations

Operators       : M0PCB M0SPF M0TAY G0HVQ M0GEJ 2E0OKK G0NXA
Soapbox         : First effort of this fledgling contest group, much fun 
was had and many lessons learned for future entries in the open category.

Interestingly all the dupes that were worked were ones that called us, 
one station in particular worked me 3 times for some reason.

For once the sun shone at time of station build and then again at pack 
down, with some rain over Sunday night. Amazing...

So, after a bit of a waffle I'd like to think this might inspire another 
'group' or individuals to give it a go. Until last weekend I was still 
sceptical that we could pull off an entry in the open section but it was 
worth the effort and it got everyone out together playing radio.

73, see you on th air!

Iain M0PCB o.b.o M0VSQ

On 07/09/2011 15:01, uk-contest-request at contesting.com wrote:
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Wed, 7 Sep 2011 11:58:18 +0100
> From: Ken Chandler<g0orh at sky.com>
> Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] SSB FD M0VSQ/P
> To: Darrell G0HVQ<g0hvq at talktalk.net>
> Cc: "<uk-contest at contesting.com>"<uk-contest at contesting.com>
> Message-ID:<4CE39ED4-4BB0-4681-8368-5B02D42A4048 at sky.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;	charset=us-ascii
>
> Hi Darrell
> Good for you, and seems like you and your CG enjoyed the experience.
> You will only get better, more proficient, the more you events you enter.
> You will also I guess evolve and want bigger better equipment that's inevitable !
> If theirs one piece of advice  I would give is this....
> Keep the yak yak VERY VERY short on ssb only the essential traffic. You will lose a lot of customers if chit chat between calls!!
> I dislike ssb (each to their own) preferring CW.
> ENJOY
>
> Ken..G0ORH / M3i
>
> P's.... you might consider applying for a SCC!!
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>
>
>
>
> On 7 Sep 2011, at 09:20, "Darrell G0HVQ"<g0hvq at talktalk.net>  wrote:
>
>> One of the first outings for this new contest group, and my first time with the team.
>>
>> Interesting to read the comments about lack of support for contesting in clubs, that's one of the reasons our group formed: members are in various local clubs that have little or no interest in contesting, so those of us into contesting formed our own group.
>>
>> The team begged, borrowed and donated various bits of kit: 30ft mobile Tennamast and genny, unknown-make tribander bought off eBay, Cushraft MA8040 vertical, K3 transceiver and Expert 1k amp. We set up in the middle of open farmland in north-west Gloucestershire.
>>
>> Scores (sorry, just have QSOs count):
>>
>> 80 - 85 QSOs
>> 40 - 277 QSOs
>> 20 - 195 QSOs
>> 15 - 29 QSOs
>> 10 - 2 QSOs
>>
>> Claimed Score: 224,910
>> Ops: M0PCB, M0SPF, M0TAY, G0HVQ, M0GEJ, 2E0OKK, G0NXA
>>
>> Great time was had by all. Despite the dire weather forecast, it was actually pretty good, with the only rain 0400-0800 on Sun. Fair to say that it was a pretty relaxed affair, with a lot of chatter and banter outside the tent, although we did have someone on the radio the whole 24hrs.
>>
>> Score-wise, unusually 40m seemed to be our main band: I know the MA8040 is a superb vertical, as it's my main low-band DX aerial, and it did the job admirably. Maybe a dipole would have been better on 80m to get more local QSOs? The tribander was a little disappointing: as a regular in HF contests, I know that 20m is usually the main band, but it seemed pretty quiet at times and we struggled to get a good run, even with 400W. Likewise there were bits and pieces on 15m and 10m but it didn't feel quite right, think that further investigation is required: didn't get time to try the aerial out prior to arriving at the contest site, it tuned up OK and the guys worked some DX (e.g. BV100) prior to the contest, it just didn't seem to have the 'oomph' in the main event.
>>
>> However, a good time was had by all, we learned lots of lessons, andI think we have the makings of a good contest group. And a young-ish group too, with the majority of people in their 20s-40s. Some photos up on Flickr:
>> http://www.flickr.com/photos/67160711@N07/sets/72157627593531206/
>>
>> 73
>> Darrell G0HVQ
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>