[ILQSO] ILQP results - W9FGH

[John Schneider]

ILQP Contest Results:   W9FGH/P
Operating from corner of Greene / Jersey / Macoupin Counties
Operators:   W9FGH and K8IR

CW QSO’s = 813
SSB QSO’s = 783

Multipliers:
States and provinces = 56
IL counties = 42
DXCC = 3

Claimed score:  243,309

Working conditions:
2) FT1000MP transceivers (one for spotting)
ALS-600 amplifier
2) logging computers
40 meter antenna:  sloper dipole attached to farmer’s grain bin
80 meter antenna:  dipole from grain bin to phone pole (10 ft. above ground)
20 meter antenna:  vertical on roof of motor home

Comments:
This was my best experience at operating the ILQP contest.  We started out with a sustained run on 40 meter SSB with a consistent rate of 120.  Afterwards, we alternated hours between CW and SSB.  We had some activity on 20 meters, but most of our results were on 40 meters, with some good runs on 80 meters during the last 90 minutes.  Unlike previous years, propagation was consistently good and there were almost no dead periods.   The amplifier made a BIG difference in our ability to be heard. 

This would not have been possible without the superb participation of my old friend Jim K8IR.  For the second year in a row, he drove 20 hours from Upper Michigan (at today’s gas prices), supplied much of the equipment and his superb CW and contesting skills.  He also spent many hours untangling the logs and getting them ready for submission.   Special thanks to Jim and all the other out-of-staters who have helped to make the ILQP an outstanding regional event each year. 

I also need to thank the property owner Cliff Dawson, who has allowed us to use his property for the past four years. 

John Schneider
W9FGH
Quincy, IL