[NLRS] KC0P contest results

[Melvynkc0p@aol.com]

Subject: 2004 ARRL Jan VHF Sweepstakes

Call Used: KC0P/R  Location: EN33,43,44,34,35

Category: Rover       Power: Low

Band   QSO's   Points   Mults
-------------------------------
 50    24       24       3
144    67       67       8
432    39       78       6
1296   26      104       6
10368  11       88       5
-------------------------------
TOTAL 167      361      28

Score = 361 x (28 + 5) = 11,913
Equipment:
 50 Dipole @ 10ft, 20 watts Best DX KB0ZKX 122 mi, K9MU 80 mi
144 5el on 60in boom @ 15ft, 20W, K0MVJ 199 mi, K0JO 141 mi
432 5el on 24in boom @ 15ft, 10w, KB0ZKX 122 mi, K0FQA 111 mi
1296 11el on 24in boom @ 8 ft, 10w, W0LER 53 mi
10368 Solfan Horn, Rider Front window, 10 mw, KT8O 10 mi, W0GHZ 9 mi

Soapbox: Lost the main battery 30 min into contest and no safe way
to recharge on the fly. Resorted to a dual band handi-talki at 1w
and a loaner battery from W9FZ whom I caught up with at Altura for
the microwaves the rest of Saturday near St. Charles. That also
allowed me to work KF0Q at 20 miles from three grids on 1296.

For Sunday I rigged an Inverter and battery charger on the failed
battery. The inverter groaned if I tried to push more than 20w
out of the Icom 706 so that was the top end. I planned to use
Cannon Falls, High View Road as a good take-off for Eau Claire.
Every time I pointed the truck/antennas NE and called CQ I would
get another answer from Minneapolis or beyond. Turn N. again & thats
how I found W0LER in Coon Rapids for 1296. I finally asked W0VB
to put some heat on EN44 and in less than 5 min I started a run
with Elk Mound, Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls.

The new 10 GHz setup is underpowered and lacking a decent antenna.
But that can be fixed by next summer. At least I was warm in the
truck. Thanks to all the stations who contacted me. My score may be
a new personal best as a rover and I really had a blast. THANKS   
 Mel KC0P EN34sb and beyond