[NLRS] 10 GHz Contest: Reflections of a Newbie

[Jim Froemke]

What a way to wrap up the two weekend 10 GHz contest. The weather was great
and the contest was even greater!

Being a fixed station (EN26ha) located between the two rover packs gave me
the opportunity to  experience both operating styles.

 

The Buffalo Ridge pack (Jon, Don, Mel, John, Gary and Bruce) was focused on
maximizing their QSO rates. You got a rush out of running with all six of
them usually within only 3 to 5 minutes during each stop. All contacts
(except one) were made via SSB over distances up to 230 Km. I eventually
learned that one thing you can't cut short on is the beaconing time.

 

The Red River Valley pack was focused on maximizing their distances. You got
a rush out of running with Wally and Bill under extreme weak signal
conditions! Most mobile contacts were via CW over distances up to 315 Km.
The other fixed stations Barry @ 444 Km and Dennis @ 348 Km. were via very
strong SSB signals. Sorry that we couldn't connect from some of the
locations.

 

I have to thank Bill (K0AWU) again for encouraging me to take the leap.
However, just relocating my mobile 10 GHz setup onto the tower left
something to be desired. I'll try to find room for the 8 Watt brick inside
of the tower mounted electronics box, work to improve receive sensitivity
and add active temperature control to reduce frequency drift.

 

One other observation is that this could be a great visual promotion tool
for weak signal operation. Maybe we ought to get a video record of what
we're up to for use at radio club meetings, hamfests, etc. Fondling hardware
alone doesn't quite convey the total experience.

Thanks to everyone for the patience to get me up to speed on the 10 GHz
contest event.

 

Summary of results: 

167 Qs with 17 call signs over 33,400 Km cumulative distance  (~200 Km
average) for approximately 35,000 points.

 

73, Jim

K0MHC

EN26ha

Lake Miltona, MN