11/05/2002 | K0WA K0WA and AB0S have been doing SS multis, both modes, with various sidekicks for a couple decades. Last year the team moved from W0CEMs well-appointed Junction City KS station with low antennas, to the QTH of new upstart W0NO, who has boldly established quite a DXer and contesters paradise outside Beloit, in north-central KS. Alans station consists of an IC-756 PRO II, its ugly-sister original PRO for the mult station, Alpha and Acom amps. Outside are stacked independent-pointing yagis, 40 M yagi, low tribander, wave 160 vertical and windom. The past 4 years K0BJ has been joining the group for cw weekend.

This collaboration of Lee, Tim and various others has won multi class in the past, and typically finishes in or near the Top 10, often capturing Midwest Division in the process.

This contest was our first time working anything other than a token mult/S&P operation. We have some improvements to make but it went fairly well. The mult station stumbled across VY1JA calling unanswered CQs on 15 early in the contest, and hastily called him on 25 watts and the windom. Got him first call, but it took poor J quite a bit to dig out our exchange. As with many contesters, we were nail-bitin for a NL contact and were happy to see the webcluster spot Sunday afternoon. Got him on the 3rd call for our sweep. Thanks to all those lukewarm contesters in odd places who put up with hordes of callers pestering them! Ended up with around 1240 QSOs.

Our team had the proud (?) distinction last year of being the only Top 10 multi to lose a relative position due to busted reports. We hope that along with more Qs from the mult station, we managed to produce a cleaner log this time. Anyway, lots of fun for 3 long-time ham friends and their accommodating and gung-ho host. -- K0BJ