[ILQSO] 20 meters- a further analysis

[John Geiger]

To further analyze the change in activity levels on 20
meters, I went back thru the electronic logs I had,
which only were from 2002-2007.  I must have logged by
paper in 2001 when operating from OK.  I know I was
using paper logging before that, and 1999 and 2000
were mobile in Illinois with no 20 meter QSOs because
I didn't have a 20 meter hamstick!  

Anyways, I wanted to see how many 20 meter QSOs I made
in the ILQP each year, and when I first went to 40
meters.  Each year I was using the same antenna, and
using 100 watts each time.  My data shows that this is
becoming more of a low bands contest each year:

Year   20m QSOs    First 40m QSO
2002     154         2226Z
2003     120         2124Z
2004     120         2020Z
2005      89         1821Z
2006      24         1757Z
2007       4!        1742Z

So each year I made fewer 20m QSOs and was on 40
earlier each year.  I remember in the 2001-2004 I
couldn't even hear stations on 40m the first couple of
hours of the contest, and they were very weak when I
did hear them.  

This year I did make more 80m QSOs than usual in the
contest, and signals were great up there.  I hope this
trend reverses itself when the sunspots reappear, as
it was nice to work stations on 20m, then again later
on 40 and 80, getting 3 QSOs with each fixed or
portable station.  This year it was pretty much just a
40m and 80m QSO with each one.

73s John AA5JG

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