03/12/2003 | IU2M It was 1000Z on Feb 15, when I launched my first "Test IU2M IU2M".
Suddendly an "unusually" weak KC1XX was answering.
A big smile on my face: things are just starting well! I didn't realized what really was happening, supposing the weak signal was due to the band just opening: BAD LUCK was going to happen, instead.

It wasn't the propagation, it wasn't the band still close, it wasn't anything but the Power Amp that was acting as an "attenuator" when in receive mode.

I wish to apologise to all who thought I was deaf: you were right, I was, indeed!

After trying to change the radio, the coax between Radio and Amp, the coax between Amp and RF Meter, and more......., the bad relay contact was discovered just at the end of the contest, as usual.
Next time we need to test the setup at least one day before.

Trying to figure out what was going on, I made some 10M qso's too.

CU next year: I will sure hear you better!
Bob,I2WIJ -- I2WIJ