[TVARC] ARRLDX SSB K2PS SOAB HP

[K2PS Pete Stafford]

First time playing in an SSB contest with the new 500 watts.  I remember now
why I vastly prefer CW - or even RTTY.  It's tough these days operating on
20-15-10 without at least a tribander and a KW.  Used to be that since power
was a part of the exchange, one got a sense for which countries were
wealthier.  Now, nearly everyone is running a KW, probably including the
Italians (even though they are limited to 500W, and the UK, 400W).  A
handful of stations report 100W and you can really tell the difference.  And
on the W/VE side, looking at the 3830 reported scores, the vast majority
play in HP categories.  At least with the little amp I have a shot at
working stations, but forget about running them (unlike with CW), so not
much chance to do crossword puzzles - have to keep tuning and tuning since
I'm unassisted.  Have to figure that most of the stations in any pileup have
bigger, better stations, so it kind of changes how one needs to approach it
(timing of your call, avoiding until later, etc.).

But all that being said, it wasn't too bad for this time in the solar cycle.
In a few years, we'll have 10 meters and a real 15 so that everyone won't be
cramming into 20, and a lot more stations readable.  More competitive on 40
from here, since not too many beams for that band, and I was happy to work
61 countries.  80M with the 40M antenna and the KAT500 tuner at least gave
me a few mults.  Kept checking 10M and only found a weak opening to SA one
time, and 15 showed some sporadic E skip into Europe now and then.  Had to
keep going there often not to miss anything.

But all in all, had fun.  And isn't that why we do this?

73, Pete, K2PS 

                    ARRL DX Contest, SSB - 2020

Call: K2PS
Operator(s): K2PS
Station: K2PS

Class: SOAB HP
QTH: FL
Operating Time (hrs): 16

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:           
   80:   19    17
   40:  120    61
   20:  179    71
   15:   85    41
   10:    5     3
-------------------
Total:  408   193  Total Score = 235,653

Club: The Villages Amateur Radio Club

Comments:




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