[NLRS] EN37ed Contest preparations

[Bill Davis via NLRS]

  Just a few comments regarding the station "condition" prior to the contest next weekend.

  The 1296 power had sagged in recent years and 1296 QSOs had become more infrequent. Barry helped me out with a driver amp for the 7289 and with the old tube yet, my power  out is in excess of 30w on CW. It had fallen to about 12w in recent months. I have a new 2C39 en-route, but not sure when it might arrive and the wisdom of a tube change this close to the contest. (Bad things can happen) Also regarding my new 1296 preamp, its shipment has been delayed, so it will probably will not built and ready for the contest. Bummer ....

  More on 1296 ... last Nov the mast clamp on the 1296 looper failed. The looper fell into the other antennas below. A emergency rescue was made the same day, but the antenna had to be orientated 180deg from the others. That made liaison for the Jan contest difficult. The looper is now pointing the same as the rest of the antennas and I don't need to rotate 180 for 1296.  END RESULT >>>> I HOPE I can work Paul and a few more on 1296 in addition to Gary. Those QSOs had become rare with only Gary in the 1296 log for several contests now. 


  2m ... the 8877 amp has been re-tuned, now that we aren't running EME, for the tropo antenna. Better efficiency and maybe a bit more average power than the last few contests. I still will be running in the 500w range, no reason to get silly with more up here in the weeds and bugs.

  6m ... YOU won't notice any difference, but a intermittent issue was located (I hope it was THE ONLY one) yesterday, and 6m will sound better on this end and be more dependable for full power instead of less on occasion (without intervention).

  10GHz ... degree of improvement unknown, if any. But a new power supply is on line for the tower box, with an increase of voltage and better regulation. The last three W0GHZ skeds and tests look promising, but way too early to know if the improvement observed so far is real. My signal has been down from Gary's by 3db or so since last fall, and I am trying to resolve that issue. We had observed EQUAL sigs ever since I put the 8w PA on the tower back in Sept 2006!

  SO .... sure hope we see and hear an increase in activity. Paul's activity spread sheet looks a bit thin! Post your info and BE ACTIVE for the contest next weekend!


73  Bill  K0AWU