01/15/2010 | G3LTF I had a great time in this years contest with 181 QSOs on the five bands from 2m to 9cm. As I use a single 6m dish this means a lot of feed changing to be able to cover the three "continental" windows, but that's the challenge of multiband eme contesting. There was again a welcome increase in activity on the microwave bands, especially on 13 and 9cm. Ive operated in almost every ARRL eme contest since they started in 1978 and I am very pleased that the ARRL has revised the contest rules to promote and support random operation in all modes of EME working. All of my system is homebrew, except for the SSPAs on 13 and 9cm and the final tuneable IF on 14 MHz, for all bands, which is a TS850S. It is easy therefore to hang a 14MHz softrock SDR on there and see most of the signals and monitor them in parallel to the current QSO! Very weak signals can be seen and it is also very helpful in finding a clear spot to call CQ. Thanks to all who participated, CU next year, when I hope to have 6 and 3 cm as well. -- G3LTF