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Thanks to all who pulled my signal out of the noise! This is my first time running QRP on top band but it won't be my last. Ran 5 watts to a 40 foot top-loaded vertical in my antenna covenant neighborhood. This tilt-over vertical only makes appearances during the hours of darkness. I'll be back in 2003 with more radials and more coffee!
Even though I had a new 160 meter amp, I could not use it because of a bad coax connector up on the tower. Will be there again in 2003. Chuck
ICE STORM!!!! No electricity!!!! Very little contesting.
Seeya next time.
73, jeff NX9T
www.qls.net/nx9t
Grandma said she had a diamond ring for each granddaughter. I told this granddaughter to take the radio shack, it's worth more money! |
I've got this paddle figured out now how do I type with the other hand? QRZ Test |
What a way to wake up... and, yes... those are big, fat raindrops hitting the water. |
The K6OM seaweed collection at lower tide... |
We had everything up and running the night before the contest, only to awaken Friday morning to a double whammy from Mother Nature and Murphy, all rolled into one. The area we had set the antenna up in had stayed high and dry of bay waters last year by at least a hundred feet. Not so this year!
We had elevated the base of the antenna (a top loaded Hustler 5-BTV) about five feet above the ground, thinking that would be plenty of height to miss any advancing water... WRONG! We awoke to a rain storm and all but the top few inches of the 26-radial ground system marinating in salt water. Lovely. The attached photos show the Friday morning high tide and our seaweed collection a bit later in the day.
It was not until way past midnight on Sunday morning (after we had driven ourselves crazy about why nobody was responding to our calls) that the MFJ analyzer told us the salt water had gotten into the feedline as well at the base of the antenna, and was shunting our RF into the ground radials. We were thrilled.
OPs this year were Tim, K6OM on his first 160 forway with Dick, WB6HII and me, Gary, WA6HZT.
Next year? A very long wire and helium balloon come to mind...
VE2OJ is the Quebec Outaouais Contest Club, which has been participating in 160M contests such as the ARRL 160M CW, for at least 30 years.
We rotate the contest QTH amongst the various VE2 cottages that we own or have access to. This year, the shack was in Brice's 70 year old log cabin overlooking Lac Coulonge, 150 km north west of Ottawa, Ontario.
Equipment was hauled in the last few metres on a toboggan. The antenna was a 45 degree dipole at 70 feet. This disadvantage was more than compensated by a Kenwood TL-922A amplifier running full legal power. This enabled us to shoulder our way through the pileups and gather 200 more QSOs than last year.
Now, if we just had some decent ears (Next year's project!).
Best '73 and CU On the 2003 ARRL 160M CW!
Brice (VA2BW), John (VE3NJ), Craig (VE3OP), Mike (VE3ZY)
Brice, VE3EDR at Keyboard and John, VE3NJ at Keyer. |
Outside view of Cabin. |
View of Lac Coulange. |
GP antenna with 10 radials for 160m |
LY2TA station during ARRL 160m |
Conditions much better this year than in the previous two years. There was a good smattering of Europe and West Coast stations to work. Worked my first VK ever in 25 years on 160 meters. Hearing anything beyond CA is very tough with a small antenna from the NE.
It appeared that I was often heard better than I heard other stations. For those who had to send their callsigns many times - Thank you for your patience! I'm using an aging TS-830 with leaky filters and a dipole only up 50 feet.
This was the second time that I tried the 160 meter contest. Each time I enjoyed it. For this effort, I tried a random wire strung around the back yard only about 5 to 10 feet above the ground (it varied). Despite its low height, I was able to contact stations in Nebraska, Vermont, and Florida from my Michigan home.
Wow - another 160m test. Conditions here in Arizona was not as good as last year. Lots of noise after sunset but quited down by 0300z. Poor openings on Sunday morning. I'd like to thank all, especially in the SE USA (with your poor wx, bet you had some poor rx?), who heard me. Always a fun, low pressure contest. I was surprised to hear many from Idaho this year working the contest. I am still looking for CT, RI, and ME for Worked All States. Would like to work an EU one year, but none heard this year. Maybe next year!
I am going to miss seeing mine and my buddies call in QST anymore : ( See you agian.
73's
Pete
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