[NLRS] June contest comments prelim results KF0Q

[kf0q@arrl.net]

Just caught my breath from the weekend.  First of all - I agree with 
the comments made by Rich, N0HJZ  about ways free up .200
(and 50.125) it can be a bit of bedlam at times.  I always like to 
get folks to QSY off a ways and work 'em there.  One thing that 
worked for me this time out was :"KF0Q following you (guys)  to 
432.120" .. never got a complaint ...and always got to work both of 
the other stations! 

Always enjoy reading about the personal triumphs and battles during 
the contest weekend.  I don=92t have too much interesting to report 
this year  -other than the usual visit from Murphy.  As most of you 
know I set up at the farm again this year - same as last couple of 
years here in SE MN in EN43dw.  Most interesting was that I was one 
of three stations that set up in EN43 in MN just for the test! (hmmm -
 Single-Op corn field??).   I think we were just far enough away from 
each other as to not qrm the other guy - rather it was sometimes a 
collective effort working the other stations out there  - most 
noticeably on 1296.  At one point there was no less than 5 of us all 
on 1296.100 ssb and I had no trouble copying the other 4 stations!  
This is what I consider a good problem to have!  Different this year 
was only 3 ele on six - (just didn't want to tear the 6MX5 off the 
roof for 2 days).  Not sure if it mattered any how -

Of course I had to drag all my gear up to the site over a couple of 
days and several trips: 
2 push up masts, guy ropes, 2 rotators, cables
Trailer with 5KW generator, fuel, power cords etc 
Operating position camping trailer
 3 loop yagis: 902,1296,2304 yagis for 50,144,222,432  feedlines etc 
Butternut vertical for FM 
2 transceivers, keyers, mics , ptt switch, IF switch, power supply, 
more cables etc, etc
Transverters, bricks, cables, more cables (did I mention cables?) 


Highlights:

KB0THN/R,K0NY/R, KC0P/R, N0HZO/R activating some nearby grids!
Quick sweep >4 mins! .. with KM0T all of my 6 working bands!
6 band sweep on ssb with K2DRH Sunday morning.
Finally getting K9VHF in the log for EN53 on 1296 after way too many 
exchanges! 
All time high qso count for 1296!!! 
The new =91746 pro worked well as did the =91736 with the cheap boom mic 
I picked up in Dayton


Wish it was different, but I :

Started late again, missed the start of the opening on six .. missed 
some badly needed mults.
Missed several of the =93usual=94 suspects.. hey, I know it was Father=92s=
 
day! 
Found out my thoroughly tested 2304 transverter mounted up on the 
tower was dead.
 Forgot about 3 critical cables/adapters for my SO2R setup (went home 
twice  - ouch) caused delay of CW on the =91736 .. and  finally built 
the last needed audio cable up at the site Saturday nite with some 
junk box parts - 
Missed lots of rover activity - heard Tim (K0PG/R)  and Pat twice on 
Sunday - never got them in the log (sorry guys). Also missed Gene, 
N0DQS/R most of the time .. (my fault Gene - as I found you on .180 
just like you said).
Missed all the EN70=92s and 80=92s stations I usually pick up on 222 hurt 
the Q count on 222 for sure.
 Argued with W9GU EN62 about being able to work him on 432 when he 
said we were too far away .. and finding out he was right :(

  

Call used: KF0Q                                     Location: EN43
  Category: Single Op All Band         Mode: MIXED            Power:H
     

 
 band      QSOs      points    mults
     
      50        129         129      54
     144         83          83      23
     222         29          58      14
     432         55         110     16
     903          8          24        4
     1.2         30          90        8
     2.3          0           0         0
    
     
     TOTAL      334         494     119      SCORE: 58,786


     Club or Team Name: Northern Lights RS   
      

So goes another "test".  Nice to hear everyone.. hope I wasn't 
sounding like a lid - (keyed the wrong xcver a couple of times..).  
Comments welcome - TNX to Clare, K0NY and Jim, KB0THN for help with 
the setup.  TNX for all the contacts .. had room for more!

73,
Matt
KF0Q