[Elecraft] FD impressions from W8HF

[Steve]

Field Day Impressions from W8HF!

Checking the log I see a couple of familiar calls including N7OS and N0SS.

We operated W8HF 2A Battery with all QSOs being made with batteries charged 
from a 75 Watt and 30 Watt solar panel.  For antennas we had a 3-element 
Triband Yagi up 50' on a surplus military portable tower to cover 10-15-20. 
We also had an Inverted V cut for 80 meters supported from the tower and 
fed with ladder-line and a full wave horizontal loop for 80 meters up 
between 15 and 20 feet depending on the trees.  For rigs we had my K2 for 
cw and phone and Terry N8HSP's K1 with the 4-band filter board for 40,20 
and 15.  I also brought my K1 as a backup but it never left its case.

We had a pretty relaxed operating pace so didn't rack up many contacts 17 
SSB and 72 CW for a score with the added bonuses of 1,305.

The amazing thing was the our performance on CW with 5 watts.  The limiting 
factor for contacts was our poor ability to copy fast CW.  Every and I mean 
EVERY station we called answered first time and seemed to have no problems 
hearing our reports.  I would often have to listen to a station work 
several others to make sure I copied their report before calling as it 
seemed that many ops were using PC's or keyers that did not have a speed 
knob :-)  I made all my calls at 15 WPM but most operators would come back 
at warp speed so I figured it was easier to have their info before calling 
:-)

I've always respected the ability of CW to get through in marginal 
conditions but this QRP FD really made the difference in the modes striking 
as I really had to work for those 17 SSB contacts.

The WX in northern Ohio was GREAT (just a short shower on Sunday that 
didn't stop operations and ended well before tear down time) and we all had 
a great time.

Looking forward to next year already!  Maybe I can get my speed back up 
over 20 WPM by then :-)

73,

Steve - W8HF
K1 #1520


--On Monday, June 30, 2003 10:23 AM -0700 Andreas KU7T <ku7t@ku7t.org> 
wrote:

> The core of our 20 CW station was my K2 #2555, with remoted
> KPA100/KAT100.  All I can say is wow. The receiver really showed its
> excellence. Every op that was using it commented on its great receiver.
> We had a great antenna as well (4 el yagi, 25 ' high on top of 60 '
> parking deck) and I was able to work EVERY station that I heard.  This
> was the most fun I had in any contest I have participated in yet.