[PaQSO] N3FR results

[BobC]

I'll tell you, they just don't get any better than this Party, and this one has a personality all it's own.  And what's even better, it's personality changes year after year depending on lots of different "things".  to name just a few:  What county(s) is/are rare?  How are the bands holding up?  Will the power stay on the entire contest?  Will storms play havoc?  Can I run to the coffee pot, fill my cup, and make it back before someone responds to my auto CQ?  When should I go to CW in order to eat my sandwich?  Potty breaks?  Oh yeah, sooner or later.

I told myself that I was going to once again mount a serious effort in this year's "Party", and I feel comfortable saying that I gave it all I could.  We had a house full once again this year, and while my wife and the rest of our family and friends went down to the casino for some "entertainment", my Mom stayed behind and was cheering me on.  Each time I logged a new mult, I would yell it out, and she responded  each time with another round of applause!  Yes indeed, a great time!

So, here's my Portable in WAR summary:

            CW        Phone
80m      242        292
40m      232        86
20          92        68
15          1          1

Total:     567       447

1418.5 QSO points times 135 mults = 191,497.5 points.  Score does not yet include special event station points.  I think I worked them at least 6 or 7 times.  They were very active.  Nice job folks.

No record breaking score this year (current record is 207,604), but tons of fun just the same.  Some notes on this year's activity:

    - Missed two counties for sweep:  CMB (hey WA3SES, get back over there!!) and FOR.
    - Had only 3 antennas this year.  80M Carolina Windom, 80M dipole, and 40M dipole.  Did not even attempt to erect the 160M antenna this year. 
    - The short calls (bonus station for example) played heck with the NA logging program when I tried to attach their county abbreviation to their call.  For instance, the program would not accept W3P/SCH in the log entry window for some strange reason.  It considered it an "invalid call", so I had to fudge the entry to make it work.  Very strange.
    - Worked Japan on 20 meters.  Not sure that I've ever done this in the PaQP.
    - N6HC, Arnie, qsy'd me to 15 meters for my only contact on that band, and he was loud and clear.  The band was indeed open, but with no activity.  What a shame.
    - Other than forgetting to take my 20 meter dipole with me, for the most part, Murphy stayed away this year.
    - Yes, I did make it to the Seneca Allegany Casino and it was my turn to take some of their chips!!

Thanks very much to Mike and the Nittany ARC for doing a fine job on keeping this Party alive and well!  I like what I'm seeing so far with their upgrades to the Party.

Best regards,
Bob, N3FR portable WAR