12/21/2004 | KI0F Well its December now and I have another November SS memory to file away. For myself one of the ops at KI0F this year it was a great time. It was a privilege for me to be invited to operate the contest and then be able to write about it here. It was great to see fellow contesting friends again, and meet the usual SS crowd on the bands.
I believe this was my 13th effort for SS. I have spent about half of the SS tests at home battling away with my small station. The other half I have spent operating multi from N0WE, KI0F and in 1998 at W0AIH. I think the multi efforts are the best. Always fun to be with the group and share some stories about the other years.

In 1996 three of us from the group operated multi in the ND section. Thought we would be the DX. We used Clares call at the time KI0BZ, and operated portable from a motel in Devils Lake. Not exactly like being in NWT but close! We will talk about that effort for years to come. Unfortunately Clare wasnt able to join us for 2004.

Rogers setup is a far cry from my usual setup or that temporary one we had in the frozen prairie of ND. The station at the new KI0F is set up for some serious battle on the bands. Roger has the Omni VI + and Titan combination along with the Pro 57A at 85 feet. For the lower bands we used 160 meter inverted V. The apex at 70 ft is fed with 450 ladder line.

This year I got the hot seat for the contest start known to us locally as BIC. (The C stands for chair). Highlights for me this year was to work VY1JA on 15M just as he was asking if the frequency was in use! Nice to have that qso in the log in the first hour! The station really played well on all the bands in most cases only a couple of calls were required for a S&P contact with a needed section. The Saturday night potluck supper was great; Roger and XYL Jan were very gracious inviting us into their home for the contest weekend.

Jake, KC9CRM had a great time operating as well. Jake is in High School and has been quite a quick study with the contesting thing. Great to see some of our youth diving in head first! Mike, N0BUI was a patient elmer when needed. Jim, N0WE printed our shirts this year and XYL Sue, KE0S provided some YL audio needed punch through the pile-ups. Our rate could have been higher but we just wanted to have some fun get the sweep and have good time. We accomplished all of that (got the sweep with VO1AU at Sunday morning) and hopefully planted some seeds for next time. I encourage everyone to try the multiop category November SS with friends is really a great way to have a contest.

I think Rogers statement says it all:
Had a great time with friends all weekend. This is what contesting is all about in my book. Being with ham friends working a contest. Fun Fun Fun
Rog, KI0F and friends

73, from the gang at KI0F: KB9S, KC9CRM, KE0S, KF0Q, KI0F, N0BUI, and N0WE. Present but not at the mic: N0JP, KE0XI, N0WRQ, N0NUO, KC9ERJ, KB9YFQ

Respectfully submitted Matt, -- KF0Q