Hi Everyone,
The FYBO contest was a lot of fun, and I had the most contacts I've
ever made in a QRP contest, 50. When I got up Saturday morning the temp was
50, which is unusual for northern New York this time of year. By FYBO time,
the temp was down to 30, extremely windy and raining/snowing/sleeting.
Before the contest started I had to repair my dipole for the second time
this winter, the west leg is now at 5 feet off the ground instead of 50.
After a late start, I fired the rig up on 20m and immediately heard AB7TT
with a pileup. Couldn't work him so tuned around, heard a few others that I
couldn't work so I found a freq to run on. Everything was great most of the
afternoon, except when the N6WG QSO came (you're not the only one that had
problems when working them Bob). The wind had picked up considerably and as
N6WG was beginning his report the power flickered on and off a few times.
So after waiting for the keyer to reset and asking for a repeat I did
explain to them what had happened. Around 2100z, I decided to take a break
and watch MST3K on TV. But then the wind knocked a tree down on the power
line and the power was out for 3 hours. No problem, I'll just hook the
Sierra up to the battery, plug in the straight key and go back at it.
During that time I was only able to work one station, W8KC, and only after
bugging him for the QSO (sorry Paul). Do I get to count the battery power
and 2w mults for that QSO? I might even be able to claim the low
temperature mult for that one too since the furnace was out too. Once the
power came back on I finished up the last hour and got N4BP for QSO number 50.
I haven't totaled the score yet but a total of 50 qso's, (one DX,
two QRO), inside @ 70 degrees, and all but one QSO with 5w and commercial
power. Rigs: TS-940, NorCal Sierra, Antenna: half fallen down 80/40 trap
dipole with center @ 50 feet, east leg @ 40 feet, west leg @ 5 feet and
many twists and turns to get to that point, MFJ 493 keyer and 941 tuner,
Vibroplex Brass Racer, J-37 straight key.
Thanks to the SQRPions for sponsoring this, see everyone again next
year.
72 de Rick WZ2T NNY
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