Somewhat behind schedule start... 3 pm local (20:00utc) due to various set up issues, namely getting the 4 band stack up on something high enough to clear the shop roof (20ft).  Settled on using my reach forklift, can put 8,000lbs upto 42 feet... 

 Contest was slow as expected here in the Black hole (en43jv), 222 and 432 seemed to be fine but noticed issues w/ 902/3 and 1296 especially to the west where a  40' tall building blocked my chip shot to W0NE (en43ex) in Winona,MN.  The best contact on 1296 was en44 and couldn't even hear K2DRH on 903/1296, which in itself is wierd considering his station and the fact that south is my best horizon.

Noticeable by their absence were many close in grid stations and how poor the propagation was on the lower microwaves.  Stations that were 10-20 over s9 on 222 fell into the noise on 432 and were non-existant on 902/3 & 1296.  I did hear a couple chirps as some beaconed at me but that was mostly fruitless.

In the end if I didn't enjoy the radio fun, (setting up a portable station in a challenging location is a large part of that), I'd perhaps give this contest a thumbs down for next year.  However, like many others in our hobby I'll be there in September/January taking my abuse...  hihi.