[ILQSO] WOW!

[Mel Crichton]

OK, it looks as if 20 meters was not as hot as in the past. But what can you say about FORTY? This year it was hot, but not as long as in the Ohio Party in August. Went to 80 meters early, and there was plenty of activity then. There are 600 contacts in the log, but no doubt some dupes will disappear. On the other hand, worked a lot of multi-county portables, so there will be more lines added. Not bad for an 8 hour event.

Being a mobile has its moments..... some are not so good ... like being out in the middle of nowhere in the dark and missing a turn... that's where the GPS helped (a bit too late), but I never made it to Douglas or Edgar.... Then the LOOONG stretch in Marion and another in Coles produced some "quiet time" to reflect and actually concentrate on driving. And the Laptop lost its interface to the rig, so I had to remember to enter the band/mode manually (might have forgottten a few times)

But there are good moments too....like CW pileups so loud and thick that occasionally not one call can be pulled out (I actually thought about sending "UP" after my call)... the rate meter hung over 180/hour a number of times, and went over 150 on 80 meters right at the end (where I know I have a puny signal)... Lots of LOUD IL signals on 40 and 80 this year. Even mobiles.

Got to get a little more sleep, then I'll look at the log. Won't have near as many mults as last year, though. And the only DX was LY2ZZ. 

Looks as if Illinois turnout was great. Thanks to the organizers... this was a great ILQP.

Mel KJ9C mobile