2002 ARRL International DX Contest (CW)
09/18/2002 |
KG4PYM
My first real contest attempt, had fun, although did it with a borrowed Yaesu FT-7 loaned from WB6BWZ-
I really wanted to work Single Band 10m, but the crystals for 10m in the rig were for only the SSB part of the band.
Given the truly Low Power aspect of the FT-7, I wished I could have entered QRP, but the FT-7 power output was around 13W, and this old radio pretty much allows you to Peak the output but Not Adjust it, so I entered Low Power with 13W, my little 40m OCF dipole, lots of pencils, paper-logs, and also, more than a fair share of Repeats.
And so, I was bound to 15,20, & 40! ha!
Top it off with, had to use the hand mic PTT switch as a T/R switch making all transmissions a two-handed affair, and well, I had a blast, and I can't imagine working a contest under much tougher conditions...
As a re-born again Ham, the Newbie enthusiasm I guess did not allow for the normal amount of deterrence given these conditions- at this juncture several months down the road I don't think I'd have even tried with 13W, handmic PTT, no 10m, hunt and pounce all the way, dishing out the same amount of repeats as a QRP station...
Nevertheless, it was fun, I'm looking forward to next year- may even use a computer in 2003! If only 10m in 2003 could be like 10m was in 2002! -- W3DCG
I really wanted to work Single Band 10m, but the crystals for 10m in the rig were for only the SSB part of the band.
Given the truly Low Power aspect of the FT-7, I wished I could have entered QRP, but the FT-7 power output was around 13W, and this old radio pretty much allows you to Peak the output but Not Adjust it, so I entered Low Power with 13W, my little 40m OCF dipole, lots of pencils, paper-logs, and also, more than a fair share of Repeats.
And so, I was bound to 15,20, & 40! ha!
Top it off with, had to use the hand mic PTT switch as a T/R switch making all transmissions a two-handed affair, and well, I had a blast, and I can't imagine working a contest under much tougher conditions...
As a re-born again Ham, the Newbie enthusiasm I guess did not allow for the normal amount of deterrence given these conditions- at this juncture several months down the road I don't think I'd have even tried with 13W, handmic PTT, no 10m, hunt and pounce all the way, dishing out the same amount of repeats as a QRP station...
Nevertheless, it was fun, I'm looking forward to next year- may even use a computer in 2003! If only 10m in 2003 could be like 10m was in 2002! -- W3DCG
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