12/20/2003 | N3AWS Operated QRP SSB as usual. Operating time was limited, but I accomplished my main objective of comparing my Icom 706 MKIIG at 5 watts to my new Yaesu FT-817. Both are good rigs with similar band coverage. I have the 706 set to my operating preferences, but am still experimenting with the 817 settings. Overall, I still prefer the Icom because of the larger screen, larger controls, and SWR graphing utility. But both rigs performed admirably.

At the start of the contest, I did not have an antenna that worked well on 10 meters. I cobled together an indoor dipole and went at it.

Family obligations limited my time and, although I had planned to operate from our RV, I ended up doing the contest from home. No computer logging was used. Ended up with only 30 QSOs and 16 mults for a score of 960.

I'm not sure where I'll be next year as the Air Force will be moving me next summer. I'd like to stay in Florida, but that seems unlikely. Still, this remains one of my favorite contests, so I'll try to get on from whereever I end up.

73, Jim N3AWS
Jacksonville, FL -- N3AWS