The Contest
This was a practice run for the WX3N/K5ZD WRTC team. As Dave and I had never operated
together before, we thought it might be good to get some time in before arriving in SF.
Dave was to arrive at the Providence airport at 4:45PM on Friday with the contest
scheduled to start at 7PM. Plenty of time... except when there is a major snow storm that
afternoon. Luckily, Dave was on one of the few flights which was allowed to land. We shook
hands at the airport at 6PM. Now all we had to do was drive home (normally 40 mins in good
wx) and get ready for the contest.
It was a true Le Mans start. We got to my place at 6:53. We couldn't get up the
driveway due to the snow, so we jumped out and walked up the hill. It was 6:57 when we
entered the station and started turning equipment on. I got the computer booted and ready
just as the clock turned over 0000Z. No introduction to the station -- I just sat Dave on
40m and told him to work people while I got everything else figured out.
Never could get CT networking to run on my Windows 95 computer, so we settled for just
one computer. This in turn made the second radio less useful, so we just used it as a
spotting receiver. We ended up almost exactly following the rules for the WRTC so we feel
we may have learned a few useful lessons.
The ARRL multi-single category's 10-minute rule really robs both station and operator
of any chance to utilize agility or skill. Both of us are experienced two-radio single
ops, yet the 10-min rule meant we could only CQ and watch the packet screen. At the bottom
of the cycle where only one band is open, this doesn't make for much strategy. I.e., press
F1.
Friday night was OK on the low bands. The MUF went below 40, but that is not so bad in
New England where 80m, and even 160, are capable of producing QSOs all night.
Twenty opened as the sun was beginning to lighten the sky. We had excellent rate and it
was obvious that much of the rest of the country had decided to take the weekend off.
Despite the crowded band, there wasn't the normal competition for frequencies. It seemed
the faster Dave turned the keyer speed up, the higher the rate. 750 QSOs in 6 hours.
We pretty much skipped 15m on Saturday since 20 was so good. Decided to gamble on equal
or better condx on Sunday when the rate would be lower. Turned out the be the right choice
as 15m was better Sunday and the 20m rates were indeed lower.
10m was really bad. Interesting to hear VP5JP both days on what sounded like ground
wave (probably weak sporadic E). Worked an LU and OA4SS for our other 2 countries. Heard
TI1C for awhile on Sunday, but he faded out before the 10-minute limit would allow us to
QSY.
In addition to the strength of the Eu signals on 80 and 160m, the real eye opener for
Dave was when we went to 40m Sat afternoon. He got there about 1930z (2:30 PM local) and
claimed 7002. It just seems amazing to be running Eu on 40m and yet the sun is still high
in the afternoon sky.
As usual, at 0000z, the bands died and it became a grind of finding new QSOs on the LF
bands. 160m was definitely better the second night. Dave found 23 new countries between
00z and 06z.
It is obvious that packet now dominates the DX contests. We marvelled at how fast the
hordes would descend on a packet announcement. We were also amazed at the amount of stuff
we found that had not been spotted. People put out DLs and G3s, while there is an FR5 only
a kHz away! After awhile, we just waited until 10 mins after a spot was put out before
even going to check it out.
The contest ended with the usual mutliplier chasing excitement. We switched to 20m at
2350z to work S92SS for a new one. This stuck us on a near dead 20m band with little to do
except search for new QSOs. A spot showed up at 2358z for PY0TI. I spun the dial, heard
K1AR calling (they know how to use Alt-F4), dumped my call in and got him. It's rare to
beat K1AR in a pile-up, and even more satisfying when it is in the last minute of the
contest for a new multiplier! High fives all around.
We had been comparing notes with KC1XX during the weekend. Their big hardware was too
much to overcome. Sunday morning, Matt's 4 high 20m stack kind of walked away from us. But
the real margin was on 80m where XX has a delta loop at 180' compared to our inverted vee
at 90'. Yet another DX contest where 80m costs me! Even so, it was fun to actually have
real competition and know that it was going to be close.
Even with the frustration of the 10-min rule, I really enjoyed this effort. I am very
busy with work and it was nice to be able to work, sleep, see my family, and still get to
operate about as much as I wanted. Anyone want to do the phone contest?
Randy, K5ZD
Continent Statistics
