2006 ARRL November Sweepstakes (Phone)
11/20/2006 |
K5BZH
The 2006 Phone Sweepstakes proved worthwhile, I met my goals. My first was to work Alaska, Idaho, and North Dakota. At my last QTH I submitted for my first WAS, it was a mixed mode. In July 2005 I moved to Amarillo and filed for my CW WAS here. Started working towards a Phone WAS, at this point I need confirmations for the 3 states mentioned.
For a radio I used a Heath SB-1400 and below average antennas, on 20/15/10 I have a 12AVQ vertical with 2 radials that is mounted on a pole less than 10 feet off the ground. On 40 I have a dipole cut for the CW band and at about 11 feet about the ground.
I worked all but 7 sections, missed: KY, NTX, OK, CO, NL, QC, and NT. I chased HI for a good while. Heard a couple in PAC and was watching NH6P on 20 meters closely, but his signal was pretty weak for a long time, my power being several dB under his would make it impossible for him to copy. Finally caught him as 20 was about to fade out, his signal had increased significantly, I called him, he returned, we completed the Q successfully.
After working HI, I had about given up on Alaska. Like many others, I had moved down to 40 meters. Later, just after 0000Z, I switched the radio from 40 to 20 and as I did, I heard, "59 AK." I froze. It was NL7V. Worked him, made this years Phone Sweepstakes a success story for me.
At this QTH I have space issues. At some point I will have decent antennas again. I will make the point that one can still have a lot of fun with a poor antenna farm and simple radios. I worked 269 stations with 73 sections that produced a score of 39,274 points. While that doesnt sound too impressive, it should easily place me within the top 50 percentile.
Those having to play the search and pounce game tend to notice the stations they are working have pretty high running scores and are perhaps desensitized to what the others doing S&P have for scores. The ARRL has the contest log results on the web for viewing. The midpoint score in the 2005 Phone Sweepstakes was 24,310 points (187 Qs, 65 sections), for 2004 was 26,928 (198 Qs, 68 sections), and for 2003 was 24,192 points (192 Qs, 63 sections).
Oh, I worked VE6CNU at Calgary, he was QRP, had a nice signal. Was pretty worn after the weekend of contesting. I can report that I definitely got a great nights sleep. -- K5BZH
For a radio I used a Heath SB-1400 and below average antennas, on 20/15/10 I have a 12AVQ vertical with 2 radials that is mounted on a pole less than 10 feet off the ground. On 40 I have a dipole cut for the CW band and at about 11 feet about the ground.
I worked all but 7 sections, missed: KY, NTX, OK, CO, NL, QC, and NT. I chased HI for a good while. Heard a couple in PAC and was watching NH6P on 20 meters closely, but his signal was pretty weak for a long time, my power being several dB under his would make it impossible for him to copy. Finally caught him as 20 was about to fade out, his signal had increased significantly, I called him, he returned, we completed the Q successfully.
After working HI, I had about given up on Alaska. Like many others, I had moved down to 40 meters. Later, just after 0000Z, I switched the radio from 40 to 20 and as I did, I heard, "59 AK." I froze. It was NL7V. Worked him, made this years Phone Sweepstakes a success story for me.
At this QTH I have space issues. At some point I will have decent antennas again. I will make the point that one can still have a lot of fun with a poor antenna farm and simple radios. I worked 269 stations with 73 sections that produced a score of 39,274 points. While that doesnt sound too impressive, it should easily place me within the top 50 percentile.
Those having to play the search and pounce game tend to notice the stations they are working have pretty high running scores and are perhaps desensitized to what the others doing S&P have for scores. The ARRL has the contest log results on the web for viewing. The midpoint score in the 2005 Phone Sweepstakes was 24,310 points (187 Qs, 65 sections), for 2004 was 26,928 (198 Qs, 68 sections), and for 2003 was 24,192 points (192 Qs, 63 sections).
Oh, I worked VE6CNU at Calgary, he was QRP, had a nice signal. Was pretty worn after the weekend of contesting. I can report that I definitely got a great nights sleep. -- K5BZH
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