[VHFcontesting] June VHF - N1BUG - FN55

[N1BUG]

N1BUG - ME - FN55
Single Op HP

6m: 218 QSOs, 95 mult
2m:  39 QSOs, 21 mult

Thoughts:

Finally operating with high power on 2m again!!! Loving it!!!

6m and 2m amplifiers performed flawlessly. Entire station performed 
flawlessly, although the operator is still in need of sharpening 
after 10 year break. Working on it. Logging was cumbersome, hence I 
have some software changes I want to make before the next contest.

For the first time EVER I had sensible, easy band switching. Much 
has to happen when going from 6 to 2 or HF to 2. RF path needs to be 
re-routed, one amplifier enabled while ensuring no other is (there 
can be some issues with sharing a common 4 kV supply), set power 
level of transceiver, etc. If my new system which I have dubbed 
FRABS (Fool Resistant Automated Band Switching) has an Achilles' 
heel it is that it requires a PC to work. All band switching is 
handled by clicking a user defined control that automates all the 
various band change tasks. I hammered on FRABS this weekend with 
frequent band changes. It worked perfectly. The system is plug and 
play expandable for more bands - through 1296.

My 6m station is capable of full QSK. 2m is not, requiring a 
sequencer. Naturally I forgot this a few times while operating 2m 
but even with the transceiver still on full QSK nothing bad happens 
thanks to station design. One lesson I have been slow to learn is 
that resources spent on basic infrastructure and fool proofing is 
worth it in the end even if it means having fewer bands. Perhaps if 
there wasn't a resident fool... ??

Propagation: The only notable tropo enhancement on 2m was during the 
warmest part of Saturday afternoon... huh. It was short lived. Best 
6m Es was Sunday afternoon but not really all that great. Always a 
limited footprint. Did manage to get some DX: PY, VP2E, KP2, ZF, C6, XE.

Perhaps openings on 6m played a role but it seemed to me 2m activity 
was well down from the "old days". My current station is much more 
capable, yet QSO and grid count on 2 was down from the 80s-90s-00s. 
Many, if not most on the chat rooms were not particularly interested 
in attempting to work FN55 if it involved anything over 300 miles. 
Next contest I will be more aggressive in chasing stations I want to 
work.

I want more bands! (I must be getting greedy in my old age)

-- 
Paul
N1BUG  160m-2m         DXCC Honor Roll
WI2XTC 2200m-630m Experimental license
FN55mf      ME      Piscataquis County
http://www.n1bug.com
http://www.aurorasentry.com