11/04/2008 | W8PEN It has been a while since I made a serious effort in a contest, if you call 16 hours a serious effort. Things started out badly about an hour before the contest began. My Omni 6+ lost its power output. Had to rush around and find the right cable to allow computer control of My FT-847. The FT-847 is not a contest rig by any stretch, but it does have a 500 hertz filter, so things were tolerable.

Rusty at the CW. I search and pounced early on because I did not know if I could catch the calls and exchanges at contesting speed. It wasn't until Sunday morning that I felt confident enough to CQ. Then I got in a groove and had a lot of fun.

Was trying out N1MM's logging software and it took a bit of getting used to, but in the end I decided I really like it. I had enough fun that I will be there for the SSB running. Then to my Favorite contest: The ARRL 160! Hope I have my Omni fixed by then.

FT-847, Tri Bander at 50 Feet and a 160 meter windom antenna.

437 Q's (or so) and 76 sections.

73, Don W8PEN (ex WA8YRS) -- W8PEN