[ILQSO] Observations

[Greg Gobleman]

I had a lot of fun.  Only a bit of frustration.  Started on 40m and had a
good run for a time.  When it slowed I went pouncing.  Checked 80m, 6m, &
10m a few times.  Called all directions on 6m with no response.  Picked a
frequency on 20m and ran a pileup until one of you shared your power line
noise with me and drove me off.  My FT-2000 is usually very good of getting
rid of noise.  Maybe a neighbor was welding or something.  I had a dry
throat , needed to take a bathroom break anyway.  Came back to 40m for a
time and then heard some signals on 80m so I switched down there and called
and called.  The bands were in such great shape that I only worked a few on
80m because everyone was elsewhere.  Took another break and made supper.
Came back down and just finished up pouncing on 40m and 80m.

Frustrations.  Unusual power line noise on 20m,  my DVR in the FT-2000 must
grab the audio prior to the equalization settings as it sounded far too bass
and compressed to me and when asked, others confirmed that.  Not many
stations on looking early on 80m, but I suspect no one thought it was going
to be in such great shape.  Others I know had power line noise problems
there.

Someone in Kane county had a station on 2m FM that could not hear me, but
they were quarter scale.  I worked Iroquois county on 20m, when I would have
thought the band was far too long for that.  I cannot tell you how many
stations said they were thrilled to work Logan county for a new county.
(Have I been off the air that long?)  I was very pleased with how the 80m
inverted v did that I put up the day before.  40m is a 1/4 wave ZeroFive
vertical.  10-20m is a Force 12 C3E at 68ft.  6m is a M2 6M7 at about 62ft.


I will try to look at the log tonight and double check the score.  I think I
managed 6 hours, not quite 350 SSB contacts, for 37,000 or so points.

73
Greg k9zm