Off to an expected slow start Friday as 10M was closing out, but somehow managed 41 Qs.  Ready to hit the ground running at sunrise Saturday, but the Big Ear had other ideas.  SWR was 10:1.  Yikes!  Lowered mast, dismantled antenna, inspected, reassembled, and after losing two hours, we were good to go. Condx Saturday were so-so.  Europe closed out early, but there were ample US to keep us busy.  Oh, did I mention, the Big Ear failed again?  This time in mid afternoon.  I lowered mast, disassembled, and this time re-soldered all connections.  Back on the air mid afternoon, but the anticipated JA opening didn’t materialize.

Fingers crossed Sunday morning, we tested the Big Ear and SWR was 1.0:1 — perfect!  10M was super-hot Sunday with Europe lasting until after noon.  It was back to the races!  10M was so good we managed a five hour run, averaging 140/hr over one 90 minute period.  After Europe, 10 stayed open to various parts of the US, and JAs appeared late afternoon to add a dozen or so to the total.  In spite of the antenna problems it was a good weekend with WAS on CW and 41 states on SSB, plus 83 DXCC.  Multipliers are everything.

Many thanks to fellow club members for contest QSOs - Pete K2PS, Dennis N0SMX, Ray ND8L, Doug K1CTR, Tom K3WT, Marty N4GL, and Wayne N4FP.

Cycle 25 has not yet peaked, so the 2024 ARRL 10M contest should be even better.  Perhaps we can put together a team and win another club gavel.  

73,

Rusty - W3US