[PaQSO] Thoughts from PIK

[K3YD@aol.com]

Had a great time operating as part of the N3GWR group portable M/M in PIK.  
We did a clean sweep, our second one, I think.  We'll post the final score 
after we merge three computer logs files--but that's another story.

Some random observations:
1.  There seemed to be a LOT of DX stations active this year; almost half of 
what we worked on 20 meters.
No mults. after the first one, but still valid Q's.

2.  a. Operating a "Field Day style" multi-multi (well, actually 
multi-two--but we don't have that category in PaQP) we experienced occasional 
inter-station interference.
    b.  We were operating from a cabin along PA 402, about 20 feet from the 
cartway.  Ignition noise from passing vehicles can become significant. 
    c.  Our 40 and 80 meter antennas were parallel with power lines and this 
year we experienced more line noise than usual.
    d.  Bottom line is that our "noise floor" was typically S5 to 
S7--sometimes s9+20 when a noise car drove by.  So, if you called N3GWR and we didn't 
respond, or we asked for a couple of "repeats" now you know why.  Of course the 
600+ stations who are in our log now know that they were louder than noise!

3.  I kept listening for  NP2SH on 20(cw) but never heard them.  Did anybody 
work them on CW or was that a phone-only operation?  We did get the mult. on 
phone.

4.  We monitored 2 meter FM all of the contest but never heard anybody on 
simplex.  Our location is in a valley (next to a stream, 1/4 mile from a lake) on 
top of the Pocono plateau and we can barely hear three repeaters on 2 from 
the camp.  My congratulations to those who found 2 meters useful--for us it was 
not. 

73 all--see you next October,

Blair k3yd