12/15/2004 | KI0DI Conditions seemed pretty rough here in Minnesota, at least for an average low power station. Lots of QSB and short openings mostly to the south. Never heard CA, AK, HI but I did get CO and ID. Heard many, many stations who couldn't hear me (which wasn't a problem in the SS phone just a few weeks ago). The southern latitudes seemed be doing better from what I heard. In 2001 I made 31 contacts on SSB with 25W and an indoor dipole in Missouri operating just a few hours. This year I really had to struggle to reach 28 QSO with 100W and a G5RV at 40 feet. The only station I heard over S1 in the entire contest was KT0R, which is about 15 miles away! It's still fun to get on the air, though. Thanks to all who dug out my signal. 73, -- KI0DI