[NLRS] WA2VOI 2015 10GHz Contest report

[WA2VOI, Donn]

Short report:
WA2VOI
172 Qs
20 Unique calls
38,800 DX points
439.7 km Best DX
40,800 Claimed Score
-------------------------------------

Long report:
Saturday of August weekend was a disaster... serious equipment problems.  Total 
of 9 Qs before things became hopeless.  Spent the afternoon at home, working on 
problems, and fortunately, was able to identify and correct them.  Sunday was 
MUCH better.  59 Qs, with my best DX of the Contest at 439.7 km (EN34IR - 
EN11-SM with N0UK, K0HAC, KC0IYT).

Glen (KC0IYT), Chris (N0UK), Holly (K0HAC) and Ray, WB0EBG, and I had planned on 
working JT4 between Buck Hill and "near" Omaha, NB the first weekend.  However, 
between both my and Ray's equipment problems and the  superb  propagation, we 
never did.  Given the time it takes for a Q in JT-mode, SSB was MUCH more 
efficient and allow many more Qs.  Also, the Rovers were able to work everyone 
on the Hill.   Maybe next time.

This weekend was much better.  Equipment worked (wow!) with no problems except 
for a loose PTT cable... found in 30 seconds.  Six Rovers in 3 packs kept 
everyone busy.  (Chris and Holly in SW MN/E SD), Bruce, W9FZ Janice, KA9VVQ and 
Gary, WB0LJC in W MN and E SD, and Jerry, K0CQ in W IA provided lots of action. 
Signals generally good.  Propagation a bit above average maybe.  My best DX for 
the weekend was 284km, again with Chris and Holly (EN34IR - EN14NQ).  Average DX 
for this weekend was ~250km.  Total of 104 Qs for the weekend.

Noticed some rainscatter enhancement (and problems) a couple of times, with 
single storms in SW MN in the morning, and  in the afternoon a N-S line of 
storms developed that eventually chased off Buck Hill about 4:30PM.

My thanks to the Rovers, and especially to "Big Dish Dave" (N0KP) for acting as 
Hill Captain on Buck Hill.  The 6' dish compared to 2' or 18" DSS dishes makes a 
real difference when signals are weak and when trying to get both ends "on 
bearing."

73 Donn
WA2VOI/0