01/11/2007 | N3XLS What a fantastic weekend and one full of "firsts"! First time we had three elements on the TA-33, (last year the reflector blew off just before RU and we ran in "180 mode"). First time we used the DX Cluster. First time we were serious about competing in the MS LP category. First time we had a third op and a first time for Scott, KA3QLF in a RTTY contest.

Day one of course, started with extreme optimism but seemed to just go slow. We had plenty of NA and SA, but couldn't buy EU. This was our swan song right up until our planned 0600z long break. Low and behold 40m opened wide for us and we were able to land 7 Mults. We heard at least that many more, but they just couldn't hear us. We bagged it at 0615z.

Day two, unfortunately, started with extreme pessimism. We only had 365 logged with 70 Mults and just couldn't figure what we were doing wrong. We hopped 20m would open for us and it did at 1200z. After only an hour running 80m and 40m we S&P'd 20m and found a boatload of EU. 15m opened to EU a few hours later for more Q's but no new Mults.

All in all a wonderful time! Having Scott over to play radio was great and I hope he had a great time. Most fun moment was a nice run on 20m that netted >100 Q's on 20M in 90 minutes. Ordinary for some, but outrageous @N3KAE. Most memorable moment was N3XLS just before our closing @ 2300z. Drying up CQing 20m, he looks at the cluster and sees KL7DX just 25kHz below. He says "Ah let me try 'em", and gets 'em on the second call! Thanks for being there KL7DX!
all in all our Total score end up being 77,010, which looks like a new record for EPA M/S LP! If no one else scores higher.

Hope to work you all again, from Joe N3XLS, Al N3KAE and Scott KA3QLF -- N3XLS