[PVRCNC] HR2J (AA4NC op.) ARRL DX CW

[Roberts, Will]

Call: HR2J
Operator(s): AA4NC
Station: HR2J

Class: SO Unlimited LP
QTH: Honduras
Operating Time (hrs): 26
Location: Other North America


Band

QSOs

Mults

160:

few

fewer

80:

40:

20:

15:

10:

Total:

3365

318

Total Score

3,210,210




Things started out well but took a downturn when a power supply failed. No problem - spare is in hand and is changed out quickly. Problem #2 starts when the second power supply causes the K3 to shut down on the low bands. Change to back up batteries with an automotive trickle charger. Complaints of "bad signal" and "hum" start. Early Sunday morning it's time to switch to 20 meters. Insert #2 power supply again and with a whimper rather than a bang, the K3 fails completely. The really bad news is that there is 11 hours left in the contest and the only available backup rig has no CW capability. As an NC State Wolfpack fan I'm used to saying "wait until next year", so I did! Things could be worse. It's sunny and 79 in Honduras and it's record cold back home in North Carolina, so I make the best of things and get an early start on sightseeing and SSB DXing as HR5/AA4NC.

Thanks for all the Qs and especially the ones that pulled my puny signal out of the mud on 160. My hastily erected Friday afternoon inverted L wasn't hittin' on much!

Equipment: Elecraft K3 (R.I.P.)
2 crappy generic Chinese 12VDC power supplies (R.I.P.)
20m+10m TH6 @ 40'
15m ground mounted vertical
40m inverted V @ 30'
80m inverted V @ 35'
160m inverted L (30' vertical / 95' horizontal) + 2 elevated radials