[UK-CONTEST] CQWW 160 CW-G4BYG

[Vic Lindgren]

After a couple of years away from the contest due to health problems I 
decided to do a Low Power (100w) entry from home this year.
Cant use any assistance in this section so RBN/Skimmer/Cluster stuff was a 
no go.
Didn't expect any great shakes as the local noise here is now making Low 
Band DXing
almost impossible. Multiple noise sources make it impractical to try and 
sort out them all.

I hastily built the classic ARRL 20 ft coax rx loop with not a great deal of 
hope it would help.
How wrong I was. It was a great success. With a preamp in line I was able to 
hear stations
often inaudible on my inv L (55ft vertical).

Band conditions on Friday/Sat morning were poor this time with few outside 
Europe stations audible.
Only VY2ZM was worked across the pond.

Things improved slightly for me on Sat night/Sunday Morning and worked a few 
USA stations before dawn.
At least I managed plenty of sleep this time with a total of only 18hrs qrv 
split into 3 sessions.
95%  S&P this time and did really notice the lack of UK activity.
Not many up for the the challenge of 160m contesting am afraid. Too much 
easy meat on the higher frequencies?
LMF as we used to say in the RAF!!!!!!

I heard (but didn't work) Steve ZC4LI. He was very weak on 1850khz calling 
cq contest for ages with no success.
It almost sounded like his auto cq key was stuck. Or maybe a slim??

367 qso,s with 15 states/prov. and 47 countries for a score of 121,148.
Only 3 dupes this time. Enjoyed the search and pounce which tends to keep 
one awake.

Used an Elecraft K3. 100w into my loaded inv L with the small rx loop.
N1MM  logging software worked as usual without a glitch.

Maybe next year I will be able to do an HP entry but did enjoy the change 
this time round.

Thanks to all who took part from the UK and please send an entry in however 
small it may be.

Nice to work G3SJJ doing his radio rehab thing and hope he does his fitness 
training with the same vigour :-)

73 de Vic
G4BYG