[NLRS] sept vhf contest report KF0Q en43

[kf0q@arrl.net]

Finally catching my breath from the weekend ..only one antenna left 
to hang up in the garage.  First if all thanks for all the Q's - like 
always room for more - but the contest was fun and exciting at times 
even with some ho-hum conditions.  I operated the entire contest low 
power portable (aka QRP/P class) from the farm in EN43dw again.  The 
land belongs to another family up on the ridge  - (will have to make 
sure that they get a case of beer again for the trouble of putting up 
with the station for a few days this year).  In fact I got the last 
of the antennas and ground anchors pulled last nite just in time for 
the hay to be cut .  Just as in the 2001 contest (missed =9102) I was 
surprised by how well I did with 10W on all bands.  Still struggled a 
bit (quite a bit on 432) but many times I was able to get some 
notice.  I do appreciate those folks out there that looked for me on 
144.225 (W0JT and others - ) and had the patience to look for me 
again to complete a missed band or sched.

Highlights:
Gear for all 8 bands worked!
New 1296 preamp was awesome!
6MX5 fixed just in time fri nite (UPS showed up with the back-ordered 
parts at 6:00PM 9/12)
Running in to and running the bands with Tim and Pat K0PG/R, K9ILT/R 
with the rover stack pointing right at me!  Thanks a bunch you two!
Sweep with Bob, K2DRH EN41 (S7 on 1296 SSB!!)
Sweeps with many other stations - KM0T, K0CJ, W0GHZ, KT8O, K0CQ, 
N0AKC, KB9PJL, to name a few  -
Catching the gang to the east in EN's 52,53,63,62,60 No sweep with 
W9GA,  but nice signal Ken! 
Fun sweep with Al, N9ISN (knew we were on a mission when I found out 
XYL was holding the 222 antenna!)
At least one QSO each with N0DQS/R, and KB9TLV/R, few more with 
W0AMT/R  .. thanks for the hard work guys!
Catching Clare, K0NY/R for some 1296 QSO's on Sunday afternoon.  TNX 
Clare!
Having Jim,  K0MHC/0 remind me of "un-finished business" at the end 
of the test and getting some badly needed mults; last Q was 
903CW=85could have finished 1296 in as well with another 20 seconds! 
(..did copy the report!)

Wish it were different but:
Missed many of the rovers and grids - my 10W wasn't waking anybody 
up.  Couldn't even hear the bigger guns on 144.240 and .170.  Seems 
like I'm a bit to far to the south for the action.
Kinda threw my back out hoisting the hoffman box containing the 
2304/3456 transverters and gear up to the mast (thing only weighs 34 
lbs but a bit awkward at shoulder height while standing atop a 12 ft 
ladder -
The generator decided to quit Sunday afternoon  - Got the da_g thing 
going at least six times only to have it die mins later - lost at 
least 3 hours messing around finding another power source for the 
last hours of the contest.
The wind tossed the 144 yagi and 6MX5 around repeatedly.  Finally 
fixed loose mast section then the generator broke! : (
Missed some bands with Bill, K0AWU (sorry Bill - thanks for trying - 
guess my 10W wasn't enough)

Other excitement:
Didn=92t know it was raining  had to run out and cover up the generator 
Saturday afternoon.  Later on didn=92t know the rain was coming in the 
tent and pooling up under the 144 IF switch on the ground!
Got to learn how to program and use the built in CW memory keyer on 
the =91746 pro after the MFJ keyer ate my last 9V battery!  (BTW: Icom 
keyer is awesome! programmed a beacon really quick piece of cake!)

Exchanged Information: KF0Q EN43 
 
      band      QSOs      points    mults
      50         41          41      12
     144         66          66      21
     222         28          56      14
     432         41          82      12
     903         12          36       6
     1.2         21          63       7
     2.3          2           8       2
     3.4          2           8       2
                                        
     TOTAL      213         360      76      SCORE: 27,360 
 
     Club or Team Name: Northern Lights Radio Society          

TNX  to Clare, K0NY for help with the antenna setup !  
 
Not sure about January yet (hockey season) need time for the next two 
bands any way.
73,
Matt,
KF0Q