Sunday 28 February 2016

CQ 160m Contest

I thought I would try the CQ 160m SSB Contest on Friday evening, I've never taken part in this contest before.

Using my 148' inverted 'L' and my 80m OCF Dipole, both antennas tuned up quite well on 160m.  The band seemed to be in great shape.  It was wall to wall signals right across the band, and doing the "Hunt & Peck" system it was easy to pick the stations off.

You will see from the map below that both of my antennas are compromises on 160m, but I did get out, only to the eastern side of the continent, but still not bad for two antennas that are not cut for that band.



Best DX of the contest for me was either PEI or Florida, and I must be honest, I never heard any mid-US to west coast stations at all.

So this rounds out a very quiet month here, interrupted only for my 60th Birthday celebrations.....I have to tell you all, I don't feel 60, in fact I don't feel any different than when I was 40....and hopefully it will remain that way for a long time !!

I am already gearing up for next weekends ARRL International SSB DX Contest...starts at 0000Z on March 5th till 2400Z on March 6th.....AND.....don't forget the clocks go ahead next Saturday Night !!




Wednesday 10 February 2016

Busted Weekend

Last weekend both the Vermont and British Columbia QSO Parties were held......except I never heard anyone from either place on the air, SSB or Digital.

What was it....lousy propagation or a lack of participation?

Seems strange that I wouldn't hear anyone from either location, especially as I was working stations from all over North America, both on SSB and PSK31.

Oh well, as they say: "Better Luck Next Year".