[PVRCNC] W4MR CW Sprint

[Roberts, Will]

W4MR (AA4NC) - CW Sprint score

282 x 43



Like QPL, I had hopes of making a practice Sprint and maybe trying to get it right, but it was not in the cards. My philosophy was to try and do it in a relaxed way, because getting real hyped up has been bad mojo for me in past Sprints. It had been a long time since I last did a sprint, in fact I don't think I've ever done one with N1MM software so I had no buttons or programming done prior to 15 minutes before the start. I changed settings as I went, but still was doing crazy things every once in a while. I felt puny weak on 20m, hope it was just conditions. I would get in the rhythm and answer a station, but no one was there when I got through. I had way too many unanswered calls even after I got all the buttons down pat. 40 and 80 seemed a bit better. Too many asking for fills on my name. I guess I'll go the Ed or Al route next time.



I think the key to Sprint is a lot of hard work and practice so that some sort of rhythm is established. It's a lot different from "normal" contests (if there is such a thing!) My hat is off to the "Over 300 crowd". Good to hear all the Kens.



73,



Will



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Played in NA Sprint last night. Rapidly became "unserious" event when I realized I had the wrong function key file in MM and had to find/modify the Sprint Ladder fn file to work. After some liddish semi-manual exchanges I stopped and then got it sorted out. By then it was about 0030 with about 5 qso's. Yes, Howie, I know you tell us to practice and check out our stuff first, but after tramping through the cold and wet woods to remove a log from my west beverage I ran out of time. (OK, shoulda checked that too!)



Anyhow, once everything is set, MM is great software for Sprint. Totally automatic. Went QRO this time which reduced the "sprint frustration" level by a huge multiple. Paul, AA4XX, I don't know how you do it QRP, but thanks for the qso. Unfortunately in my shack high power and SO2R don't yet work together, not to mention the operator, so after a couple of feeble and futile attempts I just stayed with Radio 1.



Was great to hear and work so many PVRCNC stations. N4AF "Ken", Will W4MR and Bruce N1LN seemed to be really cookin' with N4CW "Rene" not far behind. And from GA my friends K4BAI and N4PN were duking it out. Great also to hear Will, WJ9B from FL.



The clock ticked over 0400 with my qso count just 197 and waaay behind the big guys. But great fun nevertheless, and man what a feeling when it was over!



73,



Jim, K4QPL