04/05/2005 | P40A I arrived in Aruba five days before the ARRL DX Phone contest. After making a few emergency home repairs I was able to finally install the freestanding 160m vertical that I started in October. I also temporarily installed a pennant for receive and I had a fantastic time on top band before the contest. I had a very nice pre-contest dinner with W2GD / P40W where we discussed the strategy for this event. Unfortunately shortly before the contest, I caught a virus and I had less energy than normal. At this point, I considered doing a single band entry where I could get more rest, but I decided against it as doing all band would be more fun and I already had all of the antennas up and running. The contest started well and after the first hour I had 299 stations in my log. The second hour produced 239 QSO's, after that the rates really tumbled for the night. I didn't see another 200 hour until late Saturday afternoon. Saturday morning, 15m was in good shape but the only signals that I heard on 10m were from south America. I kept one radio on 10m while running on 15m waiting for an opening. Finally late Saturday afternoon it opened a little to the US and I worked 153 stations before the band died. Saturday night I started feeling really tired and with the low bands noisy and producing very few contacts for me I took a long five hour nap. I awoke feeling refreshed, except for a throat infection that suddenly appeared. On Sunday morning 15m and 20m were still going strong and again I kept an ear on 10m hoping for an opening. Finally Sunday afternoon I heard a few strong US signals on 10m. I switched bands and I instantly had a huge pileup. 10m was in good shape and not knowing how long the opening would last I started logging stations as quickly as possible. During one 60 minute period I worked 344 stations, not bad for low power on a Sunday afternoon! In less than three hours the 10m signals were weak again so I retreated back to 15m where the rates were much better, knowing that I just missed many needed multipliers. The throat infection worsened after the contest and several days later I visited the Aruba hospital for some antibiotics. I felt great when my wife arrived the following weekend. The contest was a lot of fun and the late 10m opening really added to the excitement.. Thanks for the many QSO's and a special thanks to the 44 stations that worked me on all six bands.
Please QSL via WD9DZV.

Radio: (2X) Yaesu FT1000MP Mark-V
Software: Writelog

Antennas:
10m 4el 18ft (5.5m) boom @ 40ft (12m), 15m 4el 24ft (7.3m) boom @ 78ft (24m), 20m 4el 36ft (11m) boom @ 71ft (22m), 40m 1 58ft element @ 60ft (18m), 80m inverted V @ 57ft (17m), 160m 52ft (15.8m) vertical

73,
John -- P40A -- KK9A