11/08/2003 | K8BZ As always, my goal going in to the contest was to work a clean sweep. I got serious about the contest 6 years ago and have only been able to manage a clean sweep every other year. Since I worked a double sweep in the CW and SSB contest last year, the odds were not in my favor this time out.

The solar flare and temporary dead band conditions didn't help matters any and it couldn't have come along at a worse time. In the end I missed Quebec, which I heard on 15 meters but was unable to work due to unfavorable skip distance, and I never heard Northern Territories which in previous years was not a problem.

I will be unable to participate in the SSB contest so my clean sweep coffee mug collection remains for the even numbes years only.

Thanks to all participants and good luck to those able to participate in the SSB contest. -- K8BZ