[UK-CONTEST] CQ160 CW-G3P

[Mike Chamberlain]

Tom,
The Helikite is 'high maintenance' any time it's flying.  Interestingly I
find the biggest problem to be lack of wind, not high or gusting winds. It's
not unusual around 4 am on a frosty windless morning for condensation to
form on the balloon which quickly turns to ice, instigating a descent. If
I'm lucky I notice it on the SWR meter or the 'tell tails' on the antenna
wire prior to the ACOM tripping.  The fix is easy; pull in the antenna, wipe
off the ice, attach second balloon and re-launch. The only problem is that
the operation takes a full 60 seconds and I've probably lost my run
frequency.  On one occasion when I wasn't ahead of the descent I spent
Sunday morning on a neighbours roof untangling his TV antenna which had got
itself tangled with my antenna. He still claims that he now gets a better
quality picture.

Mike /G3WPH

-----Original Message-----
From: uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:uk-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Thomas Cannon
Sent: 31 January 2012 22:19
To: Mike Chamberlain
Cc: UK Contesting
Subject: Re: [UK-CONTEST] CQ160 CW-G3P

I was wondering who was end stop with me using G3P. Massive signal. As the 
crow flies we must only be about 2 miles apart.

Your Hellikite works well, I have lost 2 so far. Too many trees in my 
garden.

I went in for the last 3 and a half hours using my low dipole and 400 
watts.I did not get the antenna ready to use till about 1700

Did not work any VE or W stations, I did not even hear any.

Best DX was Russia, ended with 35 Countries and 185 QSO,s.

Thanks to all the EU stations that kept me busy at times and Dave G3YMC, 
S52P-QRP  called me, it took me nearly 5 mins before I got his call 
complete. I was pleased I did not have to get a serial number from him.

Lots of fun

Tom G0VQR / M3C