12/07/2009 | N9TF Finally put up an inverted L that I have wanted to do for a couple of years now. Got it up the weekend of CQWWCW, which gave me a chance to get it tuned in for the 160 contest. Signals, in general, were better than on the DX-LB short dipole at 35 feet. Although, the vertical apex of the L is also only 35 feet before it slopes out 70 feet SE, and down to 10 feet off the ground, then takes a quick left turn to a Maple tree branch the last 30 feet. I call it my lazy sloping inverted L.
This year was a personal best for me as I broke the 500 Q barrier and a claimed score over 80K, which is about 40K higher than my best score in the past.
Only negative was the high noise level of S9 with 12db of attenuation injected on the ProIII. I know there were many stations I missed due to the high noise level. I think a combination of AT&T Uverse subscribers and Plasma TVs in the neighborhood made for a lot of hash. Just tells me I gotta work on some RX antennas for next year. Got to get pretty creative on a 120x50 postage size lot with houses stacked real close together!
Had a great time even with the high noise level. Just got to work on making things better!
CU in the CQ160 contests later this winter. 73 Gene, N9TF.

Station conditions: Icom 756 ProIII 100 watts. Antenna, lazy sloping inverted L 35 vertical -- N9TF