07/21/2009 | KH6/AC0W My first experience being the DX. Had a great time just wish there was more east-west propagation instead of north-south. But can't complain, made plenty of Q's.

Including a few pictures, one of me at the rig, one of the antennas, and the last of the view toward the US. As you see had some difficulty with mountains. Southeast US was blocked pretty good. So for those who thought I had a pretty weak signal, now you see part of the reason. Of course the other part is the power at only 100 watts and the antennas were not up that high.

Had a nice clear view to most other parts of the world. Central and South America were booming into KH6, creating some QRM with stateside station. Biggest challenge was VK and JA stations wanting to work me, even when they were off the back and side of the beam.

Probably the biggest challenge or error in planning was not taking into account the 4 hour time zone difference. I figure I could do my normal thing of going QRT about 4 AM local time. However, about midnight local I battled to stay awake, which turns out is 4 AM back in Minnesota. So this resulted in some lost operating time and lost low band QSO's. Something to remember for next time.

Good experience and I am planning to do it again in the 2010/2011 contest season. Just need to decide where.

Thanks for all the contacts that weekend. Now just got to get the QSL cards out.

73
Bill
AC0W -- AC0W