01/21/2008 | K2QO/R Another January Sweeps is in the bag and the K2QO rover team (K2QO + W2TAU) has done it again. Our score was down from the last few years. The auditors are off today due to the holiday so our 88884 points is only a guess for now.

We spent a lot of time in the months leading up to the contest upgrading some uW transverters, building a new Elecraft 222, and repackaging the interior of the rover for more room.

Conditions seemed OK to below average from most of our operating spots. What is usually our very best spot in FN22 turned out to be very poor. Propagation hit the skids as we hit the hill.

Murphy was along for the whole ride too! His highlights included:

-432 bit the dust. We think that it is a connection or coax by the antenna. But who is going to check when the temps are below 10F with a 25 MPH breeze?

-My new Elecraft 222 transverter was bothered by RF from 6M. The lights blinked continually after every 6M transmission. This meant shutting 222 off until ready for use. In addition, every time I transmitted, the power out indication was different despite a stiff 12.6-12.9 V from the rover power system. I'm miffed over this one. Seems that the control circuit is at fault. Time for a note on the Big E list.

-The main 3456 transverter was so far off frequency that I could not find a station who was 50 yards away. The backup 3456 required some manual keyline grounding. Another pain.

-EVERY sked bit the dust. We never heard anyone, were late to the grid, or diagnosing a problem when a sked came and went. Our apologies to all who make skeds with us.

-Despite building (the week before the test) and running APRS during the contest, I doubt that it was worth the effort. No one even mentioned that they saw us on (except for my wife who when I called home told me exactly where I knew we were!) or that they were even using it. The very hot setup is likely HamIM as everyone can use it. My rover needs more room and another computer to make it happen. W2EV is right. HamIM is past due for its due.

As for highlights, we had a small 6M opening to FL while on the road Sunday morning. This always happens in January while we are on the road. Why no opening while we are stopped at a really good elevation? At any rate, 100W to a Par OmniAngle at 12'6" above random changing grade is magic. On Saturday evening before midnight local, we had some enhanced 2M prop to FN31/41. We only made a couple Qs to there, but it was a nice surprise.

So, like the Buffalo Bills, 2008 starts out as a rebuilding year.

Thanks to K2TER/R for the meetings out on the road. WO2P and N2KXS provided the usual friendly hot cocoa and cookied and laser contacts.

73, and see you all in the Spring Sprints and the June QSO Party. -- K2QO