07/17/2007 | AI4MT Enjoyed the contest immensely, was planning to operate the full 24 hours, but a thunder storm parked it self over head for about 4 hours and dumped 2 inches of rain on us. Ive just recently moved QTH and was hoping to have my tower and Mosley TA-63 up in time, but I didnt quite make it, so we had to run on a 160m dipole (264ft) at 55ft up in the trees.

Started out good with a great opening on 10m so decide to run, and hit 130 contacts in short order, albeit 1pt and 3 pt, a couple of 5pts in the mix, best dx on 10 was EA8, moved over to 15m with great results also, another run over 100 qsos and within 2 hours I was close to last years total. Within 3 hours I had passed last years qso total, but the score was half due to the lack of 5pt stations. Passing last years total that early really fired me up, so I continued with the runs and moved to 20m. Once the run rate dropped I started s&p for multipliers. Just a great time overall.

Running a FT1000MP MkV, 100watts to the dipole. (last year was a 80m inverted V at 35 ft), so the extra length and height did make the difference. Next year should be even better, hopefully the tower will be up within the next few weeks in time for the winter contests.

Thanks for all that worked me and thanks for some of the BIG SIGNAL reports
Paul AI4MT Ridgeville, SC Low Country Contest Club
http://www.ai4mt.com http://www.nu4sc.com -- AI4MT