[UK-CONTEST] March 144/432

[Rob Harrison]

Hi, 

Lots of comments on the claimed scores web page, so here's my report on it from SE Essex.

Operating periods 14:02 to 17:02 & 18:22 to 21:22, as Hepburn's seemed to infer Saturday would have better conditions, gradually deteriorating over the 24 hours. This seems to have been borne out in the comments. This would have been my preferred operating period as had visitors all day Sunday. 

Rig FT-847 50w on 144 & 432, no pre-amps, 2x15 on 144, 24 ele G0KSC on 432. ASL 60m antennas at 13m AGL.

Virtually all S & P tactics, as calling CQ with my set up is usually less effective, in later stages did call CQ as DX was drying up on S & P. Spent most time on 144, and when on 432 found very few stations to work, at times no stations heard when tuning across the band, due in part to conditions, activity, and beam headings.

On 144 heard DL0NF in JN59, DL0GTH/p in JO50 both seemed to be beaming away from the UK for the duration of my stint. In general many EU stations appeared to be beaming East and at S1-2, so difficult to attract though a wall of DL. Nothing heard from OK, OZ, SM, HB9 heard briefly. I did turn the beams to the North occasionally, but nothing heard. Of course some stations may not have been operating during my time periods, and vice versa. A noise source has sprung up on 144 at S3-4 roughly 320 degrees from here, seems to be mostly after dark, but at odd times during the day. Doesn't improve my search for weak ones to the NW. I'll have to go searching.

Map here http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/kml_files/2012/CptiecQMUNsDoo2kpvRmUOol2pU1dAM

Similar story on 432 plus lots more QSB, no noise though.

Map here http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.rsgbcc.org/vhf/kml_files/2012/WbS9z5pgb1EP8cqqIttS4Ku4z2QAdb9

73

Bob G8HGN JO01fo