[KCDXC] 160M for those who wonder

[Tom Baugh]

I hope everyone is looking forward to the 160M contest.
Here are a few pointers for those unfamiliar with 160M
It is a relatively noisy band and should tax even the best operators skills
so don't be discouraged if you miss a few you just barely can't  hear.
160M is open primarily during the hours of darkness. It shouldn't waste your
whole weekend unless you spend all the darkness hours contesting then use
the daylight hours to sleep.
Steer clear of 1.825 to 1.830 except to listen.
This is known as the DX "Window" and is used by DX to call CQ.
It is a good place to find DX if you're looking but I would suspect that
they'll be tough to get from here with the exception of some Carribean
Stations.
Due to the number of signals which will be on the band they will probably be
spread out clear up to the top of the band near 2.000 MHZ. Don't be affraid
to look. Most will congregate from 1.8 to 1.85 or so because most don't have
antennas which have a lot of bandwidth on 160M

As for results: most guys if they spend just a few hours on, have some level
of CW proficiency and an antenna as good or better than a gutter should
probably make 50 or more Q's

Quote from last years "SoapBox"
"100 WATTS TO MY GUTTER FOR A FEW HOURS -- WA0IYY  (85 Contacts)"

For the more enthusiastic (most prime hours, decent trapped dipole or
better) It is not unreasonable to get 400 or 500 or so contacts. KG0US got
515 Low power with a trapped dipole last year. And I think I can accurately
say he didn't kill himself trying too hard.

1000 Q's and you have kicked some serious BUTT.

For the casual OP just in it for fun.. shoot for 100.. and when you got that
and still have a little energy left try more.

By the way last year The high # of QSO's
Kansas were 427 HP, 409 LP, 0 QRP
Missouri was 895 Multi, 586 HP, 515 LP, 0 QRP

Lowest QSO totals 22 in KS and 7 in MO

Just get on and have fun.. This time it's a team sport!
We're affiliated with the ARRL and can submit our scores as a Club YEEEEE
HAWWW!

Any more participants?

Tom


N0TT
 KU1CW
 K0LW
 AE9B
 KG0US
 N0AG
 AA0FO
 KI7WO
 K0TRL
 AA0MZ