12/10/2006 | SV1BTR Thanks to all for the thrilling EME QSOs. I operated once more as Single Operator Unassisted, all QSOs on random cw on 2m & 70cm.
My score is significantly down from last years (109 QSOs compared to 146 in 2005 and 128 in 2004) due to lack of cw activity on 2m from a number of mixed stations. On 70cm Faraday rotation and elevation pointing problems slowed down QSO rates. I was happy to work 13 new initials on 2m and 1 on 70cm, including many single yagi and qrp stations.

It is my firm belief that ARRL EME Competition should be separated by mode into different sections, retaining the 2 weekends for cw, as those are necessary for multiband operation as well as effectively cover all continents, if carefully chosen. Contest staying mixed kills cw activity on 2m big time, by medium stations shifting to digital. Moreover, it is totally unfair to have modes of different nature co-exist in a Radio competition. The reason I say this is because digital eme on Assisted class required, once more, a non-stop Internet party with spots, skeds, QSO progress exchange info and thank you notes on loggers and chatrooms for stations to be able to achieve scores. This shifts focus away from Radio and self progress on random operating techniques.


73
Jimmy SV1BTR
2m: 16*6el. 21.5dbd xpol
70cm: 8*26el. 25.8dbd
KM18no -- SV1BTR