2004 ARRL 10 Meter Contest
12/14/2004 |
KF9US
This was my first contest, since moving to a new QTH in Wisconsin last spring. Being 250 miles further north really changed the propagation patterns and made it much more difficult. I never heard Europe, and barely worked EA8 and CT3. Plenty of activity to the south though, with lots of LU, PY, CX, XE and the Caribbean.
What surprised me most was the lack of openings to the west, with California spotty and no Q's into WA, OR or AZ...usually a mainstay for us in the Midwest. The loud voices were in FL, TX, LA and GA.
No matter what the conditions, I always enjoy the 10 meter contest...and this year was no exception. I just had to dig the signals out a little harder. Next year I hope to have a better antenna system; this year's was a 3 element beam on a "field day" temporary tower in the back yard.
73,
Phil -- KF9US
What surprised me most was the lack of openings to the west, with California spotty and no Q's into WA, OR or AZ...usually a mainstay for us in the Midwest. The loud voices were in FL, TX, LA and GA.
No matter what the conditions, I always enjoy the 10 meter contest...and this year was no exception. I just had to dig the signals out a little harder. Next year I hope to have a better antenna system; this year's was a 3 element beam on a "field day" temporary tower in the back yard.
73,
Phil -- KF9US
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