[SJDXA] Fwd: 2018 CQ160 CW Recap
N2OO
n2oo at comcast.net
Fri Feb 2 11:06:13 EST 2018
FYI.
73. Bob Schenck, N2OO
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
> From: John Crovelli <w2gd at hotmail.com>
> Date: February 2, 2018 at 00:38:29 EST
> To: "k2sg at comcast.net" <k2sg at comcast.net>, "k2tw at yahoo.com" <k2tw at yahoo.com>, "ku2c at ymail.com" <ku2c at ymail.com>, N2HM <bob at wyrs.org>, N2OO <n2oo at comcast.net>, "w2cg at yahoo.com" <w2cg at yahoo.com>, KI4KWR - Steve Molo <ki4kwr at gmail.com>, Dan Dembrowski <w2nodano at gmail.com>, "w2rq at embarqmail.com" <w2rq at embarqmail.com>, Peter Hutter <pdhutter at yahoo.com>, "gjkersus at gmail.net" <gjkersus at gmail.net>, Bob Beyer <bob_beyer at verizon.net>, "w1gd at aol.com" <w1gd at aol.com>
> Cc: South Jersey DX Association <sjdxa at mailman.qth.net>, John Crovelli <w2gd at hotmail.com>
> Subject: 2018 CQ160 CW Recap
>
> Hi all....
>
> 2018 CQ160 CW Attendees: K2TW, KE2D, KI4KWR, KU2C, N2HM, N2OO, W1GD, W2CG, W2GD, W2NO, W2OB, W2RQ
>
>
> This was the tale of two contests - on Friday night we built a considerable lead with excellent conditions to EU, putting 390 ten point contacts in the log. Our 190 QSO first hour was something of a record. But Saturday night we could do little but stand by and watch as our lead evaporated and the challengers forged ahead being recipients of superior conditions to EU. There was an ~80,000 point score swing in the space of six hours - seemingly caused by the absorption cloud over us and to the south. No amount of operating prowess could have overcome the forces of mother nature. This wasn't the first time and probably won't be the last time we'll find ourselves in this position. Frustrating, but all part of the 160M game. Have to accept it, don't have to like it.
>
>
> Be proud to be Number 2 USA. We fought the battle the right way, had fun and shared loads of laughs.
>
>
>
> Like the ARRL160 and Stew earlier this season, we again achieved the highest number of claimed QSOs from the USA in any contest entry class and with did very well in the multiplier category too.
>
>
> On a world-wide basis, we appear to have the 6th highest QSO total and 5th highest multiplier total in the MM class. Only K1LZ has more claimed multipliers from the USA (by one).
>
> Our 3830 posting and short contest story can be found at
> http://www.3830scores.com/showrumor.php?arg=jearztiaicscT
>
> The 3830 Score Summary for CQ160 CW can be found at http://www.3830scores.com/currecscores.php?arg=RPcmgez9ifmvt
>
>
> Propagation Summary
>
> Band conditions during the CQ160 were really never much better than average all weekend. At the start of the contest we were under a terrible absorption cloud - locals were just S-6 to 7 and EU had dipped precipitously from an hour before the start. But despite the lull in conditions we had a 190 first hour which has to be a record (60 of those contacts were made on the 2nd radio) Gradually the path to EU improved and there was a noted peak at EU sunrise. We were keeping pace with W1UE in SOA and most likely worked more ten pointers the first night than anyone else because the mult position was dedicated to chasing ten pointers. At sunrise on Saturday morning we worked one JA too. RBN data confirms we remain one of the loudest in EU although all of the big three New England stations had an advantage signal wise to EU all last weekend. The second night the absorption cloud settled south over us and gave the New Englanders a clear advantage. Over an 8 hour span we lost ground steadily. Tracking W1UE at W1KM, it was an 80,000 point swing over just six hours - we were effectively closed out toward EU. The transcontinental USA path was good both evenings. We were fortunate there were no significant storm systems anywhere in the CONUS - the QRN level was very low both nights. We worked JA at sunrise both days but missed one or two PAC/OC multipliers. The ZL skimmer heard us for hours but no ZLs were ever heard. Two JAs were worked, one each morning and an RA0 Z19 made it in too. We continue to enjoy having one of the best signals from the USA into Europe and in most other directions as well, particularly to the south.
>
> Here is an RBN data analysis of US stations with more than 1000 contacts as heard in EU provided by W3LPL. We are nearly equal to K1LZ, W1UE and K1BX (-2 or 3 db) the first night but you can see how we really fell off to EU the second night (-2 to -7db).
>
> Average SNRs for the ENTIRE Contest:
> Callsign Average SNR Reports
> W1UE (high power) 21.86db 69
> K1LZ (high power) 21.44db 70
> K1BX (high power) 21.32db 56
> W2GD (high power) 19.46db 107
> N5DX (high power) 19.44db 90
> N2ZX (high power) 19.34db 53
> K3WW (high power) 19.08db 36
> N3RS (high power) 18.50db 16
> NR3X (high power) 18.33db 45
> K3AJ (high power) 17.62db 21
> N2KW (high power) 17.62db 26
> NR4M (high power) 17.52db 33
> AA1K (high power) 16.94db 65
> K1KI (high power) 16.91db 55
> AA3B (high power) 16.91db 33
> K3ZM (high power) 16.28db 65
> N3QE (high power) 12.09db 43
> NQ4I (high power) 10.74db 19
> KD4D (low power @ W3LPL) 10.38db 42
> High Power (all) 18.45db 902
>
> Average SNRs for FRIDAY NIGHT through EU sunrise
> Callsign Average SNR Reports
> K1LZ (high power) 22.85db 52
> K1BX (high power) 22.07db 42
> W1UE (high power) 21.58db 62
> N5DX (high power) 20.43db 76
> W2GD (high power) 20.00db 88
> NR4M (high power) 19.86db 22
> K3WW (high power) 19.66db 32
> N2ZX (high power) 19.11db 45
> K3AJ (high power) 18.95db 19
> N3RS (high power) 18.50db 16
> K1KI (high power) 18.49db 41
> NR3X (high power) 18.32db 38
> AA1K (high power) 18.29db 52
> K3ZM (high power) 17.39db 56
> AA3B (high power) 17.10db 30
> N2KW (high power) 15.73db 15
> N3QE (high power) 11.79db 34
> NQ4I (high power) 10.64db 14
> KD4D (low power @ W3LPL) 10.41db 37
> High Power (all) 19.11db 734
>
> Average SNRs for SATURDAY NIGHT through EU sunrise
> Callsign Average SNR Reports
> W1UE (high power) 24.29db 7
> N2ZX (high power) 20.62db 8
> N2KW (high power) 20.18db 11
> K1BX (high power) 19.07db 14
> NR3X (high power) 18.43db 7
> K1LZ (high power) 17.39db 18
> W2GD (high power) 16.95db 19
> AA3B (high power) 15.00db 3
> K3WW (high power) 14.50db 4
> N5DX (high power) 14.07db 14
> N3QE (high power) 13.22db 9
> NR4M (high power) 12.82db 11
> K1KI (high power) 12.29db 14
> AA1K (high power) 11.54db 13
> NQ4I (high power) 11.00db 5
> KD4D (low power @ W3LPL) 10.20db 5
> K3ZM (high power) 9.33db 9
> K3AJ (high power) 5.00db 2
> N3RS (high power) 0.00db 0
> High Power (all) 15.59db 168
>
>
> We called CQ low in the band (1815.4) at the start but moved up to 1864 after the first hour for most of the evening heading into EU sunrise. In retro going high was the absolute right move, since the EU multiKW derby was in full swing below 1850. We used the same strategy the second night but absorption killed us trying to hear and work EU. We had very few frequency fights and when we did we won them all. The TX antenna was kept pointed toward the NE 98% of the time - until EU sunrise at 0745 or so - since the winning strategy in the CQ160 is to work the most EU stations (contacts with a point value of 10 points). After EU sunrise we settled in on 1817.
>
> Saturday afternoon we began operation again at 2000Z and we had reasonable rate almost immediately again on 1817. About 2330 we moved up to 1857 and stayed there through EU sunrise at 0800. Then it was down to 1820 to be within the JA subband through sunrise. At no time Saturday night were the EU runs sustained for any length of time. Over half of the 10 pointers worked came from cluster spots.
>
> Friday evening we 391 contacts with a point value of 10 and roughly 105 five pointers (compared with 189 and 85 the year before respectively). Saturday night 10 point production dipped to just 113 and we added another 21 five pointers.
>
> Weekend totals:
> 502 ten pointers (significantly up from 412 last year)
> 126 five pointers (also up a few from last year)
>
> The always hoped for EU 'sunrise' grayline was in play the first night and to a lesser degree Saturday evening. At no time during the weekend did 160 sound like 20 meters but the flow of ten pointers on Friday was very steady right up to their sunrise. Performance of the Hi-Z seemed to equal the NE beverage much of the time toward EU.
>
> Propagation to the west was reasonably good both nights with many VE7, WA, OR and CA stations easily logged. Only one KH6 and not a peep from KL7. With extraordinary effort we finally worked VY1AAA Saturday night. When we reached sunrise Saturday morning we had 58 sections and provinces logged, missing only VE5, NT and NF. We amazingly worked NDak in the first hour. DC was easy with three in the log. It seemed all of the western states were well represented (2 or more contacts in every state/prov).
>
> I don't recall that we heard and didn't work many country mults, except perhaps the 5W that was on Saturday morning near sunrise. We successfully broke pileups to Z6, ZC4, and 3V8. We never heard or attracted a ZL or VK all weekend. Perhaps we missed a random HK or CX but I have no clear evidence of either being on. No CE again this year.
>
> Overall, our 78 countries was just one behind the highest number logged by any MM in the USA. W1UE at W1KM had 82 while top world SO VY2ZM had 78 too. K1LZ claimes 79 countries. We were competitive as always.
>
> Below is a summary of information provided to us by K8IA using a log analysis tool originally developed by K5KA and later updated by N6TV:
> Summary:
>
> Total: QSOs 1624 State/Prov 60 Countries 78
> Total Score 1,041,486
> -------------- Q S O R a t e S u m m a r y ---------------------
> Hour 160 80 40 20 15 10 Rate Total Pct
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> 2200 190 0 0 0 0 0 190 190 11.7
> 2300 107 0 0 0 0 0 107 297 18.3
> 0000 104 0 0 0 0 0 104 401 24.7
> 0100 88 0 0 0 0 0 88 489 30.1
> 0200 69 0 0 0 0 0 69 558 34.4
> 0300 136 0 0 0 0 0 136 694 42.7
> 0400 108 0 0 0 0 0 108 802 49.4
> 0500 88 0 0 0 0 0 88 890 54.8
> 0600 103 0 0 0 0 0 103 993 61.1
> 0700 50 0 0 0 0 0 50 1043 64.2
> 0800 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 1054 64.9
> 0900 26 0 0 0 0 0 26 1080 66.5
> 1000 16 0 0 0 0 0 16 1096 67.5
> 1100 36 0 0 0 0 0 36 1132 69.7
> 1200 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 1145 70.5
> 1300 10 0 0 0 0 0 10 1155 71.1
> 1400 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 1161 71.5
> 1500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1161 71.5
> 1600 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1161 71.5
> 1700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1161 71.5
> 1800 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1161 71.5
> 1900 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1161 71.5
> 2000 16 0 0 0 0 0 16 1177 72.5
> 2100 22 0 0 0 0 0 22 1199 73.8
> 2200 54 0 0 0 0 0 54 1253 77.2
> 2300 38 0 0 0 0 0 38 1291 79.5
> 0000 39 0 0 0 0 0 39 1330 81.9
> 0100 34 0 0 0 0 0 34 1364 84.0
> 0200 34 0 0 0 0 0 34 1398 86.1
> 0300 29 0 0 0 0 0 29 1427 87.9
> 0400 43 0 0 0 0 0 43 1470 90.5
> 0500 39 0 0 0 0 0 39 1509 92.9
> 0600 41 0 0 0 0 0 41 1550 95.4
> 0700 24 0 0 0 0 0 24 1574 96.9
> 0800 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 1587 97.7
> 0900 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 1595 98.2
> 1000 12 0 0 0 0 0 12 1607 99.0
> 1100 11 0 0 0 0 0 11 1618 99.6
> 1200 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 1624 100.0
> 1300 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1400 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1500 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1600 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1700 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1800 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 1900 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 2000 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> 2100 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1624 100.0
> ------------------------------------------------------
> Total 1624 0 0 0 0 0 1624
>
> Gross QSOs=1684 Dupes=60 Net QSOs=1624
>
> The best 60 minute rate was 190/hour from 2200 to 2259
> The best 30 minute rate was 206/hour from 2200 to 2229
> The best 10 minute rate was 228/hour from 2200 to 2209
>
> The best 1 minute rates were:
> 6 QSOs/minute 2 times.
> 5 QSOs/minute 15 times.
> 4 QSOs/minute 40 times.
> 3 QSOs/minute 109 times.
> 2 QSOs/minute 241 times.
> 1 QSOs/minute 568 times.
>
> ----------------- C o n t i n e n t S u m m a r y -----------------
> 160 80 40 20 15 10 Total Pct
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> North America 1122 0 0 0 0 0 1122 69.1
> South America 8 0 0 0 0 0 8 0.5
> Europe 478 0 0 0 0 0 478 29.4
> Asia 9 0 0 0 0 0 9 0.6
> Africa 5 0 0 0 0 0 5 0.3
> Oceania 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0.1
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> Total 1624 0 0 0 0 0 1624
>
> Station Setup - No Surprises
>
> The weather on Friday was dry with light winds in the mid to high 30s. Friday night was frosty dipping down to lower the lower 20s. Saturday night was relatively mild in the 30s and rain began about daybreak on Sunday morning.
>
> We arrived between 9:30 and 11 a.m. Friday morning. Per the plan the beverage and TX antennas were tested first using the RigExpert meter to identify anything way out of the ordinary. Only the two unterminated beverages N/S and E/W were above 2:1 SWR and that was normal. The TX antennas appeared to be tuned as we left then three weeks earlier following the Stew. With acceptable results secured Tom K2TW walked the two 900' NE beverage elements end to end and found no damage. Not wanting to take any chances, TW and W2GD restrung the North/South beverage using a roll of #10 wire supplied by N2OZ. No other beverage repairs were undertaken - restringing the West next spring will be a first priority to eliminate about eight splices in the first 500 feet.
>
> K2TW and W2GD made the obligatory trip out to the tower to check on the TX array. We again tightened the TW corner pull rope to increase clearance of the delta loop at the seventh guy level to over a foot. No other adjustments were required.
>
> While Tom and I were doing our thing in the woods with the South beverage, Dan W2NO installed the three new refurbished desktop computers donated by W2CG. No particular problems were encountered. Wireless mice were installed on each. Wide screen monitors were added Saturday. During the operation Friday evening we discovered the Win-Test version loaded had a known bug preventing auto CQ to function properly. Dan reinstalled an earlier version of Win - Test Saturday afternoon to resolve the problem. Dan also repaired the slave beverage switch box.
>
> N3RD supplied spot filters for use on the AR cluster connections. After some format issues were resolved the filters worked well. With just a few exceptions, we had less problems with bad calls than prior years.
>
> The K3 radios on the table were supplied by N2OO, W2GD, and KU2C with back ups from W1GD and W2NO. All three were subrx equipped but this feature was not used on the mult position (we should try it next year). A problem with a board on N2OO's radio which disabled the speaker was discovered by W2NO. A replacement board supplied by W2GD was installed Sunday morning.
>
> We did not get the cqcontest.net scoreboard connection working until the 3rd hour of the contest. Afterward it did almost regular updates every five minutes. We monitored the real-time scoreboard constantly all weekend.
>
> The system was setup to auto post our score in real time on CQ Contest.net (http://cqcontest.net/view/readscore.php).
>
> All setup activities were completed an hour before the bell ... no chinese fire drill for a change.
>
>
> Positive Results
>
> We completed our CQ160 CW operation at 7:30 a.m. Sunday morning, quickly disassembled the entire station, cleaned up the garbage, and headed off to breakfast by 8 a.m.
>
> The following were our positive thoughts about the operation as noted during the traditional breakfast debrief at the diner:
>
> 1. For once we had no surprises of significance during setup. We were ready to go an hour before the bell on Friday.
>
> 2. We had no equipment or computer network failures of any significance. The internet connection went down two or three times but returned after rebooting the modem in the shack and once the unit in the studio. The FRC.RBN spot site worked perfectly all weekend. W2GD's newly upgraded K3s performed flawlessly. No anomalies were noted with either of the other two K3 units. The beverages seemed sharp.
>
> 3. It was obvious we had one of the best signals into EU and elsewhere as reflected in our higher country mult total and superior 10 point QSO count, particularly on Friday night. We had six hours with a rate over 100. The first hour at 190 was an all time record. At EU sunrise we were the top score on the real-time score board, the score even higher than all the EU stations posting. Our signal strength in EU was confirmed by monitoring internet accessible SDR radios in England and elsewhere. The RBN analysis from W3LPL also tells us WE'RE LOUD.
>
> 4. We again confirmed using antenna tuners to match the TX array was not a detriment to success and using them will be part of the standard station configuration in coming years.
>
> 5. We had enough operators to keep all the seats filled for the entire contest. It was good to have W2RQ and N2OO both nights, W2OB for his Saturday morning stent, and KE2D joining us for the entire weekend too. W1GD made the long trip from the far north (Thanks Ger) and our deep night team of CG and NO still tolerate each other somehow.
>
> 6. The MULT station was used very aggressively to hunt down mults and ten pointers. This technique is now our standard operating practice since it is contributing to enhanced ten point totals and is keeping us competitive in the multiplier department. No longer having any significant inter-station interference makes operating the mult position radio a total joy.
>
> 7. Although the line noise was evident on Route 9, it didn't play a significant role in our operation. Thanks to KI4KWR and others for their vigilance. Perhaps someday the source will be found and cured by AC Electric near the bait shop.
>
> 8. Having a quiet atmosphere made things easier and more fun. There were no big storm systems in the USA that caused us much concern so there were virtually no static crashes to deal with all weekend..
>
> 9. Moving higher in the band to run EU (e.g. 1864) both nights paid big dividends (higher EU rate) particularly on Friday evening. Below 1850 the band in EU is total chaos - with clicks and very loud (high power) signals wall to wall. Moving up and away from the mess provides a much better opportunity to be heard in EU.
>
> 10. Without big storms at the NJ shore between the Stew and CQ160 weekends we were not faced with any significant outdoor antenna challenges. We cabled up the low dipole for this contest and reclaimed an abandoned NE beverage element. Being completely ready an hour before the bell was terrific stress relief!
>
> 11. Danny still makes great coffee. John even remembered to bring two bags of ground beans this time.
>
>
> The Rough Edges
>
> 1. Our collective failure to keep adequate records contest to contest continues to slow down setup work. We need to do a better job filing away year to year antenna SWR readings and equipment configuration settings. We need to keep the STATION NOTEBOOK up to date.
>
> 2. The biggest annoyance of prior contests for some operators, dealing with the inaccurate callouts produced by the RBN clusters, was largely eliminated but not completely. We opted to use the skimdupe command and it seemed to work. But since Win-Test does not provide a way to stack callouts on the same frequency, the mult position operator must remain vigilant for those callouts that appear only briefly and quickly disappear. Several mults would have been missed without constant monitoring.
>
> 3. We need to further document the curves of each beverage antenna and keep a record in date order.
>
> 4. Next year consider adding a forth computer for the Slave position to be used in partner mode with the runner. Less shouting might be required.
>
>
> Suggested To Do List for SJDXA CQ160 PH Team
>
> 1. Walk beverages and make repairs as required. If time or manpower is limited, do the two NE elements, the W, and N/S first. Test the Hi-Z four square.
>
> 2. Confirm the TX antenna delta loop reflector is still not touching any guy wires. The gap between the loop near the top guy wire (the gap is about a foot) can be easily seen and confirmed without field glasses by standing adjacent to the inner west guy anchor. Using field glasses will make this task somewhat easier. Adjust loop pull rope to the east if required.
>
> 3. Confirm the tuners provide adequate and normal matching at your preferred run frequency, etc.
>
> 4. In the weeks leading up to the CQ160 PH weekend continue regular vigilance of power grid noise sources (listening on 1710) along Route 9 and Murphy Drive and engage Atlantic City Electric in eliminating all observed noise conditions. (KI4KWR, N2HM, N2OO)
>
> 6. Bring the following spare equipment items for CQ160 PH weekend: a high power amplifier, a 13 VDC power supply, and perhaps a spare K3.
>
> 7. Consolidate CQ160 PH rate sheets from the last few years and have a tally sheet ready for the contest to track progress (W2CG?).
>
>
>
> Additions? Comments? Ideas?
>
> Thanks again to everyone for their support and efforts this 160 season!
>
> 73,
>
> John W2GD
>
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