07/16/2008 | NX5M I had done multi-single in 2004-2006 and in 2007 just did not have the desire to operate much. This year, I elected to do something that I thought would really be a challenge. First of all, I did not want to do a multi because I really dislike the multi-single rules in this contest. I'd like to bring some new guys in for this short term contest and get them some experience but it is difficult to do when the rules do not allow the use of a second radio to work multipliers. If the rules were changed to allow a 2nd radio to be used, same as the rules that apply to other contests such as WPX multi-single and CQWW multi-single where a 2nd band can be used if and only if the station worked is a new multiplier and once a multiplier is worked on a band one must remain on that band for a minimum of 10 minutes, I guess it is needless to say but this would certainly allow more people to get their feet wet and would also result in more qsos being put into the logs of both station.
Well, with that said, my decision this year was QRP Mixed Mode. And instead of using the big yagi antennas I decided to use my extra antennas (a stack of tribanders) and wires. Well, late Saturday afternoon I found out real quick that I needed more antenna on 20 and 40 so I connected 3 of my 20m yagis and my top 40m yagi. What a difference this made! My goal was to beat last years qrp mixed score and despite getting a 1-hour late start and taking a couple of breaks in the first 7 hours, before the sun had set I had already reached my goal. I ended up shutting down for another 1.5 hours Saturday late afternoon just have a good meal and watch a little television. Went back out to the shack about an hour before sunset and went at it again...taking 15 to 20 minute breaks a couple more times. Although I probably could have stayed in there for the last 4 hours I decided that I was going to qrt for the contest at 0900z.
Conditions sounded pretty decent. Heard EU stations on 10m but could not work them with qrp and tribanders. I might have been getting a couple of watts out on 10m by the time the rf went through over 400 feet of RG213. In hindsight I wish I had gone ahead and connected up my REAL 10 and 15m antennas.
Doing qrp was not as bad as I thought it would be. There were many frustrating times but I was still quite satisfied with what I was able to work at this power level. I never would have thought that I would have been able to run a frequency on 20 and 40, but I did. Of course I got ran off a few times but that is to be expected under these circumstances.
I think I will be back next year doing the same thing....or go to the low power category. But one thing is a given, no tribanders....use the real stuff. -- NX5M