[VHFcontesting] [NEWSVHF] 432 Sprint K1WHS

[David Olean]

Hello Good Buddy Ron!

I am in the middle of re vamping my VHF shack from multi-op to single-op 
and have just gotten started. Running 432 from a different operating 
spot posed some problems as the rotator control boxes are not re located 
yet. You can imagine how that worked out! So I fuddled around and made 
do with what I had. The automagic band switching worked great for its' 
first run.  I got on right at 2300 UT and was immediately aware that 
activity was sparse. Our weather here was not good, with drizzle and 
rain swirling around. It did not take long to realize that signals were 
not so good either. I did a lot of listening and did not call CQ very 
often. I figured that activity was so low that endless CQing would not 
produce much. I watched ON4KST and looked for people that way. Sometimes 
it worked out. Other times, my plan failed miserably.  The chat page can 
get overloaded real fast. Messages are missed.

I worked 25 stations in 17 grids. A few of my contacts were on FT8. For 
the first time, I had a setup where I could run FT8 on 432.  I had to 
ask what frequency the activity was on. I had no clue!  At one point, I 
noted that my RF output had dropped to zero!  I missed about 45 minutes 
of prime time, while checking what was wrong. I had no output from the 
transverter. I figured that something had died inside, but reworking the 
28 MHz rf cables brought it to life. I think I have an intermittent BNC 
cable.   I decided to get back on and try a few more contacts. An 
attempt with WA3EOQ failed miserably. He barely could tell I was there. 
On my end, I heard a few parts of cw letters.  A few weeks ago in the 
Sept contest, Howard was 559 up here.  I needed a QSB peak and did not 
get one.  I never got to run with many stations, but I was more 
interested in getting used to the new operating setup, and I was taking 
mental notes on how to proceed. I have much re working to do by moving 
shelf heights and adding more shelves to accomodate more rotators and 
antenna switches.  I think I get the most enjoyment whenever I embark on 
these changes.  All in all, it was a fun evening even with the poor 
condx. TNX to K1DY and KV1J for getting on to represent the Pine Tree 
State. I looked for N1BUG, but I think he had a case of Qwertyitis!

Dave K1WHS


10/6/2022 7:11 AM, Ron Klimas WZ1V wrote:

> 432 MHz Fall Sprint - 2022
>
> Call: WZ1V
> Operator(s): WZ1V
> Station: WZ1V
> Class: Single Op HP
> QTH: FN31RH
> Operating Time (hrs): 2.5
>
> Summary:
> Total: QSOs = 24 Mults = 16 Total Score = 384
>
> Club: North East Weak Signal Group
>
> Comments:
> A rainy night with poor conditions.
> Not surprisingly local activity was sparse.
> Thanks for the QSOs and the tries.
>
> 73 Ron WZ1V
>
> Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
>
>