[PVRCNC] SS CW W4KAZ SOLP unassisted

[kazeringue at aol.com]

Was tired after Murphy killed my 80m antenna at very nearly the last 
minute.  Probably not a lot of impact since I had planned to be S&P with 
an offtime gap to once again see the LSU Tigers completely unable to 
mount an offense against a Nick Saban defense.  But I guess there was 
some progress, at least they got across the 50yl.

RX conditions seemed pretty good to me.  The repaired antennas all 
seemed to play well, and the skimmer station pumped out beaucoup spots 
full time through the contest.  Maybe they helped some of the U 
stations-I didn't peek.   The cool kidz Canadian sections called me 
during my short Sunday runs, much to my surprise.  Only 70 odd sections 
total though, so no brooms mounted to the deciduous antenna support 
systems.

Decided it is time to re-evaluate all of the antennas locations and 
directions.  Trying to decide if I can rebuild the 80m folded dipole - 
that puppy served long and well and has some unique qualities.

73 de w4kaz



                     ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, CW

Call: W4KAZ
Operator(s): W4KAZ
Station: W4KAZ

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: NC
Operating Time (hrs): 8

Summary:
  Band  QSOs
------------
   160:    0
    80:  106
    40:   73
    20:   60
    15:    7
    10:
------------
Total:  246  Sections = 67  Total Score = 32,964

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

Made some much needed station repairs the prior weekend, replacing an 
old feedline from shack to sixpak with hardline,  fixing some 
connections on other coax runs, and putting up a temporary fix for my 
broken 40m dipole.  Friday evening, testing all of the antennas, and the 
dreaded HI SWR on the 80m antenna[which had remained untouched, and 
working FB on previous weekend].

Murphy abides.

So got out early Saturday morning to spend several hours fishing a new 
80m dipole through the as yet still too leafy deciduous antenna support 
systems.  First test....dread HI SWR.  ACK!  Dropped 80m dipole again to 
replace the coax drop.  HI SWR Issue resolved.  A bit of trimming and 
80m ready to go with sweet spot at 3550.  Operator.....not so much on 
the ready to go.

Mostly S&P due to poor CW skills, somewhat better on Sunday so a couple 
of short runs to see signals into RBN.  80m seemed long early Sunday. 
Hearing West coast here before their sunset.  Also, still learning new 
things I like about the TS-590S.

Maybe we will have better luck and be better rested for SSB.  XYL 
conveniently to be on the road during ARRL 160m weekend, so maybe I'll 
finally get a good shot at putting in some butt-in-chair for that.

Tnx fer the fills es the patience.