2007 ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)
11/27/2007 |
N7RVN
WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! As my first contest with a new General Class, I have to say that it was much more enjoyable than all the Field Days I have worked over the years.
I had to split my day between the radio, work and just a tiny but of sleep. Overall, I worked the contest for just under 10 hours with 177 contacts and 55 sections. 2 land and Canada were my biggest downfall, with only NNY and MB out of them. I heard EPA and DE but they seemed deaf to me.
My single op 70 watts made it pretty hard to get through all the splatter from the HUGE signal stations. Most of the contacts I worked and "mini pileups" to get this Nebraska station were fun. It was great to listen to as the popular stations like Hawaii seemed to have ample patience to get all the stations who tried to get their exchange in.
I played round robin with two other stations. I worked one contact, then station 2 worked him, then station 3 did, then it was my turn again. Kinda slow but it was an effective way to get more lower power stations who hovered near the band edges.
A recently erected homebrew fan dipole for 80 40 20 and 10 meters seemed to perform just fine except for the 20 meter antenna that just cant find a low SWR. I made most of my contacts on 80m with about 1/3 on 40. I am committed to avoid using a tuner.
What made this even more exciting were the (first ever) QSL cards I received. One of them indicated he needed only Kansas and Nebraska to get WAS on 80m. Wow what a hobby! Thanks to everyone who worked the contest!
Maybe the weather will cooperate enough to get the 20 meter antenna tuned in time for winter.
73 all
N7RVN -- N7RVN
I had to split my day between the radio, work and just a tiny but of sleep. Overall, I worked the contest for just under 10 hours with 177 contacts and 55 sections. 2 land and Canada were my biggest downfall, with only NNY and MB out of them. I heard EPA and DE but they seemed deaf to me.
My single op 70 watts made it pretty hard to get through all the splatter from the HUGE signal stations. Most of the contacts I worked and "mini pileups" to get this Nebraska station were fun. It was great to listen to as the popular stations like Hawaii seemed to have ample patience to get all the stations who tried to get their exchange in.
I played round robin with two other stations. I worked one contact, then station 2 worked him, then station 3 did, then it was my turn again. Kinda slow but it was an effective way to get more lower power stations who hovered near the band edges.
A recently erected homebrew fan dipole for 80 40 20 and 10 meters seemed to perform just fine except for the 20 meter antenna that just cant find a low SWR. I made most of my contacts on 80m with about 1/3 on 40. I am committed to avoid using a tuner.
What made this even more exciting were the (first ever) QSL cards I received. One of them indicated he needed only Kansas and Nebraska to get WAS on 80m. Wow what a hobby! Thanks to everyone who worked the contest!
Maybe the weather will cooperate enough to get the 20 meter antenna tuned in time for winter.
73 all
N7RVN -- N7RVN
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