Whew.. Log submitted!

Call                       : K8OS/SO3B/FIXED

Claimed Score : 1387  (68 Qs)

-------------------Breakdown-----------------

50MHz                 144MHz              432MHz

Phone                    Phone                   Phone

FM (0)                    FM (0)                    FM (1)

SSB (2)                  SSB (5)                  SSB (0)

Digital                    Digital                   Digital

FT8 (36)                 FT8 (17)                FT8 (6)

Q65 (0)                  Q65 (0)                  Q65 (1)

All things considered, this was an interesting and fun contest, and with a few personal ‘firsts’ besides. You should know, I’ve never worked ‘phone in ANY contests. This may not be surprising because my contest career is but one year old. I’m a newbie to all this! Further, I haven’t worked ‘phone of any stripe since the late 70’s. So, I remain hopeful you will forgive any discombobulation on my part.

I’ve also had to edit my logfiles because my N1MM automation isn’t yet setup for ‘phone. I really hate doing this because.. Well, basically.. I HATE making errors! Hmm.. Well.. So much for my implied commentary upon the human condition.

Anyway, I have to say, my most interesting QSO was with Bill/K0AWU. But, before I get into this, a bit of backstory if you please..

In setting-up for this contest, I had dismounted my 10m Yagi-Uda and replaced it with a high-performance Directive Systems 2m Yagi-Uda. My brilliant plan was to work ALL the 2m stations I could during the first day and then swap it out on the last day with yet another super-high-performance Directive Systems antenna so I could grab ALL available 432MHz contacts in one sweep (and thus grab ALL those extra points). BWAHAHAHA.. You should know, I’m a VERY sneaky individual. I plot and I plan.. ALWAYS!

But it didn’t work. Darn those unpredictable weather patterns.. It snowed! Thus, I wouldn’t be climbing up onto my roof swapping anything anywhere. I’m a bit nuts, but not THAT nuts!! [HaHaHa.. Just so you know, it WAS a CLOSE thing!!!] The upshot was I deployed my vaunted antenna upon a pole and tripod in my backyard, right next to my 160m inverted-L multifeed whereupon I ‘borrowed’ the LMR-400 coax run for my most delicious nefarious purpose. With Armstrong rotator-control To-the-Max!!

My goal at this point had devolved to perhaps working a few of my closest EN35 kin. However, the Gods of Propagation and Antenna Physics had their own plans. To wit, my own personal edification as to what is really possible.

So, in a temporary fit of clarity, I call Bill/K0AWU who happens to reside in EN37 pretty much directly North of me. Mind, I fully expected this to NOT work. However, Bill and I had been very successful in our previous QSOs on 432MHz. Plus, I’m enough of a scientist to know that I at least had to give it a try, in this case to eliminate the possibility, and thus prove myself correct. [HaHaHa..] At this juncture, Bill kindly made his way to his operating position, and we proceeded to setup for a Q65 exchange. Now, in the past, we had always used Q65/30-A. I personally prefer this mode/submode option because of the increased averaging that should in principle afford higher probability of detection. However, Bill sort of overrode me on this and we instead opted for Q65/15-B. This is a reduced averaging interval and increased tone spacing. I didn’t expect that to work either.

But it did.. After some further discombobulation on my part, there his constellation was.. Clear as a bell. And he copied me equally in the clear! Needless to say, I was floored. This is EN37 we’re talking about [232km] with my antenna only 6’ off of the ground, just above my head. In this situation, I’m well below my own roofline. Think of all the trees, houses, buildings, power lines, and God knows what else that are certainly occluding the path! As a further reference point, Bill is running 200W and I’m running 25W! WHAT?!

Well, ‘above my head’ is obviously an accurate description, here. It’s now a proven fact Bill knows more than me. I say it’s beautiful!!

So, I’ve learned here. Thank You, Bill! And Thank You to Larry Manzel!! This is the gentleman that, after so many years, dragged me kicking-and-screaming back into ‘phone operation. I can hardly believe I’ll be setting-up my N1MM automation for ‘phone this week. Will wonders never cease!

OK, enough of my babbling..

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you for your inspiration. I’m also wishing for each and every person in NLRS a Most Happy and Productive New Year!!

73 es DX de JB/k8os