12/10/2006 | VE6TA I worked all three contest weekends this year which included the microwave weekend.

Only had one or two meetings with Mr. Murphy when the power supply for the 2304 amplifier decided to retire in the midst of the first European windown. Then the elevation drive failed due to a broken wire. The balance of the contest was un-marred by severe weather or break downs. The September weekend on 13 cm produced a score of 14 QSO's and 12 multipliers with no new initials.

During the October weekend I operated 432 the first moon pass and 1296 the second. I then kept the 23cm feed in for the first November pass and swapped over once again to 432 for the last moon pass.

Totals for 432 appear to be 31 QSO's with 24 mults. New ones were: N1BUG #116, UT2EG #117, and SP6JLW #118. I had to work FR5DN through my trees on moonrise so thanks to Phil for sticking with it. CWNR LX1DB and also heard the PE1 dxpedition. I was not aware of the details of their dxpedition so was hoping they would answer one of my CQ's. Activity appeared to be a little higher than last year, but there were a few absences probably due to bad weather in Europe.

On 1296 activity was amazing again this year. I look forward to hearing the moonrises on this band as it truly sounds like the 20 meter CW band.

Totals on 23cm were 59 Q's and 34 mults for the two passes. Signals were generally extremely strong, and boredom was not an issue HI. This contest for me far outstrips my QSO totals on the terrestrial contests in these parts of North America unless we get a prolonged Sporadic E opening!

New initials were: K1RQG #132, LA8AV #133, JA8ERE #134, DL4DTU #137, DL2HWA #138, DL1HYZ #139, and JA4BLC #140. -- VE6TA