Congratulations to all those who participated last weekend.  Conditions were great, which produced some amazing QSO totals and scores by fellow club members.

Somehow (once again) social engagements prevented a full-time effort, so I was more or less forced to operate late night and early morning with 40 meters being the band of choice.  Don’t get me wrong though, I like 40 and the 6-BTV performs quite well.  Europeans were plentiful throughout the contest and counted for the bulk of QSOs.  Asia was a bit disappointing with weak signals and only 50 JAs in the log.  I expected more.  I called and called two BYs with no luck.  9V, DU and a few other juicy ones briefly appeared, but it was just a bridge too far.  My goal was to make DXCC but fell short by 12, same as in CQWW.

I had hopes of using the Big Ear on 40.  Although it tuned up fine, the SWR went crazy when I applied any kind of high power.  I may try using it as a diversity antenna next year.  Has anyone had any experience with that?

Again congrats to fellow club mates K2PS, K3WT, NK7U, W4GD, N0SMX, and K4ZDM(K2DM).  Well done!

73,

Rusty - W3US

Call: W3US
Operator(s): W3US
Station: W3US

Class: SOUSB40 HP
Class Overlay: Limited-Ant 
QTH: FL
Operating Time (hrs): 17

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:           
   80:           
   40:  612    88
   20:           
   15:           
   10:           
-------------------
Total:  612    88  Total Score = 161,568

Club: The Villages Amateur Radio CLub

Comments:

Flex 6600, Flex PGXL, Hustler 6-BTV flagpole vertical.