[ILQSO] 20 meters- a further analysis

[James Funk]

As a mobile (which I have been 4 or the last 5 years, if I recall
correctly without looking at the results), 20 has always been the band
to try to get some extra mults and work "the faithful" on an extra band.
I try to spend some time there to keep the West Coast involved, as they
usually are shut out on 40 and 80 until late in the day.  

Somehow, CA never showed on 20 this year on CW. Zilch. Zip. Nada CA at
all!  Starting an hour earlier has some impact on that, and this is one
issue to revisit post-contest.  However, W7GVE (AZ) and AB7RW (WA) were
there every time I went to 20.

About 4 years ago, I worked dozens of EU, not only on 20, but on 15!  

Sigh.

Nice analysis, John. Thanks!

73, Jim N9JF

-----Original Message-----
From: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net
[mailto:ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of John Geiger
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 12:04 AM
To: ilqso at mailman.qth.net
Subject: [ILQSO] 20 meters- a further analysis

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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