[PVRCNC] IARU W4KAZ SO Mixed LP

[W4KAZ]

Well, I didn't get to test drive a K3, but I DID get to test drive a K2.

We used the K2 on 15m and 10m for FD, but this was really the first 
contest I've had time to try it out on five bands.  That proved the 
money previously tied up in an FT-100D and an HT has been wisely 
re-allocated.  The K2 is a good radio - with a few minor quirks.

I planned to spend what time I had available practicing  CW runs. 
Check.  I still have a long way to go, but I am at least more 
comfortable giving running a shot now.  The rates were nothing to get 
the Big Dawgs barking, or even keep them awake, but it was fun and 
usually enough to keep me busy.

I also found that I was somewhat torn.  I happen to enjoy S&P (with no 
spots, skimmer, telepathy, or seance derived data used), and the K2 is 
so much better as an S&P radio than my Other Radio that I found myself 
wanting to spin the knob on the K2 rather than remain camped out on a 
run.  There are lots of workable stations packed in together, and the K2 
excels at finding the guys between the beacons.

I worked AL1G, which is the noteworthy because it is the first time any 
of the stations in Alaska have been able to hear me in the past three 
years.  I also logged more 20m Q's than in the past couple of years, so 
my springtime repairs to the 20m dipole seem to be bearing fruit.  I 
also found out the 160m inv-L can be loaded up on 20m, and helped with 
the gaps off the ends of the 20m dipole.

When I ran across N4YDU calling CQ on 80m late Saturday evening, I 
decided he probably needed some waking up, so I dropped my call at about 
10 wpm.  :o  That was a WOD of fun.

Unfortunately, 'QPL managed to be victim of lidishness when he caught me 
juggling the headphones and a small box fan, and I flubbed the QSO by 
keying his call in the zone of the previous Q.  Duh-OH!  sri 
mij.....That's K4PLQ, right?

73 de w4kaz/lid


Soapbox:
Not much DX heard/worked, but the locals showed up.  One point is better 
than zero points, and a  summer contest at the sunspot minimum with 
inadequate antennas is still better than turning the radio off.



Call: W4KAZ
Class: SO Mixed LP
Operating Time (hrs): 13.5

Summary:
  Band  CW Qs  Ph Qs  Zones  HQ Mults
-------------------------------------
   160:    0      0      0       0
    80:   57     24      5       3
    40:   82     14     10      15
    20:  156      9     11      13
    15:   14      9      5       5
    10:    9      5      5       1
-------------------------------------
Total:  318     60     36      39  Total Score = 58,950

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club