[NLRS] 10GHz 2nd wkd summary {long}

[Donn Baker]

Well, it went OK.  Could have been better, but OK.

Mt. Tom is an interesting place to operate from... if you like visitors.
Jim, K0KFC and I had plenty.  All were nice people (well, most.  There were
a few kids that needed to be on leashes, or at least Prozac.)  Mt. Tom is a
170' vertical climb in an ~600' path.  Takes a couple of trips to get stuff
up the tower.  (I was happy to see a couple of visitors younger --and
skinnier-- than I am huff and puff even not carrying anything.  The kids
running up the path really hurt, though !!)  But the tower has shade, and a
340 degree horizon.  Trees at 20-30' from 340-010 degrees.

Most Qs on Saturday were easy.  Only one or two were a little "tough."
Interestingly, though, even the Qs with Monticello were way down from what
they have been.  Nothing better than S9.  I've seen S9+20 from Monticello.

Sisseton was easy.  Never heard Bruce, W9FZ and Glen, KC0IYT up in the Red
River Valley. 

Real highlight-- working W0/EI2AX, Dermitt.  Glad he could make the trip.

One the way home, Jim and I stopped near Kendall, and worked Sisseton
again, for my best DX of the weekend, 226.5 km.  And, we worked W0GHZ for
the first time of the weekend.  Tried W0GHZ several times from Mt. Tom, but
never made it.  Total of 32 Qs for the day.

Sunday, I operated from SW Minnesota, starting north of Windom (EN23kw),
and planned on moving north along US 71, stopping every 10 miles.  Poor
results.  Conditions certainly not good, but do-able.  Worked K0KFC from
EN34fs (Scott County towers), and W0AUS, WB0LJC, and KC0P from EN34jp
(don't know where that is).  Heard Doug, N0NAS once or twice but he faded
down to nothing: he wasn't workable even on CW.  Wasn't able to work Gary,
W0GHZ, either.  Gary needs a great big Thanks! for his effort in liaison
for me.  Without him, I couldn't have made ANY 10GHz Qs on Sunday.  144.260
wasn't effective, either because of conditions or usage or both.

Worked Sisseton only once, from EN24ng at 212.1 km.  OK signals although
certainly not great.  Didn't notice any difference between any of the
stations other than what voice characteristics would provide.  Again,
thanks to Gary.  He had to call Sisseton for me.  With not being able to
make 10GHz Qs or even get attention on 144.260, I packed it in early, and
had a leisurely drive home.  (I have no need for a cell phone, and the
10GHz contest is NOT reason to buy one.)

In Jon's (W0ZQ) post earlier, he hits the nail on the head re: Sisseton and
western Minnesota.  LOTS of opportunity here for "high-speed roving" ala
Colorado or the North Shore.  I was trying to do that myself Sunday, but....
It was a learning experience, at least. We have a couple of problems to
work out before its practical, though.  But the possible REWARDS are great !

For the Contest:
				2003			2004
1st weekend 
Best DX			333km			314km
QSOs				216			115
Unique calls		 1,700 (17)		 2,200 (22)
DX points			45,200		25,995
				------		------
1st weekend			46,900		28,195

2nd weekend
Best DX			168km			212km
QSOs				54			9
Unique calls		   500 (5)		   400 (4)
DX points			 3,482		 7,164
				------		------
2nd weekend			 3,982		 7,564
				------		------
Contest total			50,882		35,559
					======		======
Down 30% from last year, but last year was GREAT conditions, and no
equipment problems.  INTERESTING TO NOTE the difference in results for the
2nd weekends.  One-sixth the number of Qs, but twice the DX points this year.

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0