01/09/2006 | K0FJ MULTIOP KANSAS (northwest) 1080 Qs 100 mults = 108000

This is the 4th year for Trojan ARC members to celebrate the New Year with a Multi entry in the Roundup. We find Multiop to be a joy, and RTTY in particular as it's easier for the on-duty op. to join in-shack discussions. As before we operated from K0FJ's town QTH. Limited area for antennas is compensated for by Mike's use of telnet spotting, rotor control etc. K0QP and K0BJ filled out the op roster. We rely on telnet spots rather than using a 2nd radio -- that would be a nice upgrade next year. We missed out on fully enjoying delightful wx Saturday -- nearly 70F.

We were very pleased with band condx. for cycle bottom. We started and stayed for hours on 15. 20 opened fairly well to EU from the infamous RF Black Hole Sunday morning. We expected propagation to be good on the low bands, but didn't anticipate the growing popularity of this contest. Our most intense runs topping 140/hr. came on 80 which surprised us. Our biggest tactical error was not moving to 40 sooner Sunday PM. We were blessed with EU (inc GW for a new mult)and fresh stateside meat when we finally moved at 2255Z.

DE ND and WY evaded us -- we had ESP copy on a WY at 2200 Sunday but are too close to have a chance to log it. We also missed SK MB YU NWT, but swept the Maritimes and were pleased with the DX compared to earlier years higher up the cycle curve. This was our best score of the 4 years our club has multied this FB contest. CU next year! -- K0BJ