[NLRS] N9TTX January VHF

[Dave Aho - N9TTX]

       I worked the contest out of the W0AIH site this
time.  It is getting easier for me to toss my
equipment in the chalet and set things up fast as this
is the 3rd time with the same type of setup.   The
only difference being is finding correct feedlines and
rotor cables.  Most are marked, but the search for
them and hookup jumpers/adapters can be head
scratching.  The January Sweepstakes started off
problematical.  Although most of the bands were
working and antennas/feed-lines being happy,
apparently the rotors were not.  The 2-meter antenna
was stuck pointing to the south-southeast.  The 222
stack was rotating, but the controller was not
registering compass direction.  The 6-meter stack was
also stuck, but in a Northern direction.  The 432
stack was working well, as was the 432/902/1296 stack
on the 4th tower.  I got mike KM0T on 6 while I was
still setting things up, and did not get a chance to
run any other bands as nothing else was close to be
operable.  As the contest continued after I  got the
station set up for all bands I ran into a few snags. 
The 902 rig did not seem to work well.  Apparently I
was transmitting, but it was as deaf as a post
so 902
was non-existent for the duration.  432 was a puzzler.
 I was heard better by the locals off the single yagi
over the stacked 25’s  (height possibly)..after
rechecking everything I found I won the prize for dumb
setup.  I had the output from the rig going to output
of the amp and input to the amp was to the
antenna
(Bang head on table and fix).  It worked just
wunnerful after that
the stack working as well or
better than the single, but I chose to run the single
for 2 reasons.  First off, if I could get rid of one
rotor control, all that much better.  Second, because
I would have the high bands on the same rotor it
doubled the ease of trying to peak for running 1296.  
     Contesting with the money bands being locked in
one direction is frustrating.  Those I worked on 6 and
2 for the beginning part of the contest are to be
commended for hearing me most likely off the side or
back of the beam.  The 6-meter setup was not too bad
to run fixed as the 4x4 stacks on the West facing
tower and the ESE facing tower were getting a good
rundown and maiden voyage on the air since being
completely rebuilt.  There were two other fixed
antennas, and they were pointed off to the Northeast. 
The nice opening we had to the SE and South could have
been nicer as I was faintly hearing a lot of 5 land
stations, but not well enough to pick anything out
other than a blurb now and again.  I did work into the
East coast fairly well with the 4x4 pointing that way.
 Paul and I finally got the rotors unfrozen on 6 and
2, but 222 still refused to show me direction.  I know
I made a few Q’s off the back or side of that stack
before I realized I needed to turn it.  Of course
Murphy struck again at night when the 6 meter rotor
froze again, but in a Southerly direction.  For the
rest of the contest it would turn and re-freeze, so it
was a frustrating thing.  I worked scatter into the
East coast with a few stations on 6 in the early
Sunday morning hours.  The best contact was made with
Bill K0AWU on 1296.  We had worked the other bands
earlier, but never made 1296.  As I heard him trying
with N0AKC, I heard him, so after, I told him I did
so, and wanted to try.  This was probably the most ear
bleeding 15 minute to half hour stint I have ever
done.  He was hearing me strong, but I was only
getting bits and pieces from him
so timing it was
essential
the clocks were not synched, which would
have worked better, but we went though minutes of
sending and listening for info and rogers.  We finally
made the Q and both of us were happier than clams.  I
felt like popping a champagne bottle (none at the
shack so I couldn’t).  I Think I could have heard him
better, but it seems that my 1296 module in the 736R
is about 2-3 times hissier than the other 3 bands.  I
think the RX needs to be adjusted to get the
background noise to back down.  I hear signals, but
most often they are right on the noise threshold.  I
packed it up early by about an hour as I was starting
to get very tired, so everything got packed up and in
the car shortly after the contest ended.  
      Conditions seemed to be VERY variable.  Those
who normally are loud, were quiet, and those who are
normally quiet were loud for some reason this time. 
The low bands would be iffy, but the high bands would
be good then it would flip-flop the other way.  Also I
noticed paths seemed to be somewhat skewed also.  The
opening was nice, as was the loud scatter later on. 
No Aurora was heard, but all told I think it was a
fairly decent January contest.  If the rotors would
have cooperated, it would have been much more
enjoyable and less frustrating, but hey that is what
contests are for
.to find problems with equipment. 
Anyhow, thanks to all, and see you in June if not
before.  Hopefully the 1296 will be adjusted by then.

         Dave
N9TTX


ARRL VHF SWEEPSTAKES -- 2007

      Call:      N9TTX
      Category:  Single Operator
      Power:     High Power
      Band:      All Band
      Mode:      Mixed Mode 
      State:     WI

      BAND     QSO    QSO PTS      GRIDS

       50      77       77           32
      144      66       66           22
      222      26       52           12
      432      32       64           11
      903       0        0            0
      1.2      13       52            6
     -------------------------------------------------

     Totals   214      311           83  =   25,813





I modulate, therefore I am!
               ...73, and all that jazz,


                 Dave...N9TTX


Always remember:  "It could be worse.....it could be raining."
                             Marty Feldman from "Young Frankenstein"


 
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