CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB
Call: VP9I
Operator(s): W3TB, K3YD
Station: VP9I
Class: M/S LP
QTH: Bermuda
Operating Time (hrs): 48
Summary:
Band QSOs Zones Countries
------------------------------
160: 126 4 7
80: 335 13 29
40: 441 13 42
20: 1364 22 75
15: 1169 19 61
10: 102 10 23
------------------------------
Total: 3537 84 237 Total Score = 2,465,280
Club: Florida Contest Group
Comments
This was a joint FCG (W3TB), FRC (K3YD) contest DXpedition at the
QTH of Ed
Kelly, VP9GE.
Equipment: IC-756Pro
Antennas: Cushcraft A-4S, 40 meter dipole, double size G5RV and 160
meter
inverted-L.
We went out to VP9 hoping that 15 meters might be open a bit so that we
could
escape being in a 20 meter “snake pit” during daylight hours. We’d say
that 15 opened--1169 Q’s, in 61 countries! Ten was a real nice
surprise for
this time in the sunspot cycle giving us 23 countries and 102 QSO.
Seventy of
those Q’s came in a Friday evening opening around 0130Z into zones 4
and 5;
most of those 10M signals were as solid as those on a local FM
repeater.
We never felt challenged by the exciter-level power limit in VP9. We
could
quickly establish a run when we switched bands. Because the rates were
so good
and running was so easy, we might not have hunted mult’s enough. Most
of the
mults in our log called us. A second radio hunting mults (allowed in
M/S)
could have contributed more. However, that would involve bringing a
second
computer to network to the run station, a second transceiver, and an
antenna
tuner. Because this was our first joint contest DXpedition we opted to
keep
the packing simple and light with one radio and one laptop.
Being only 700 miles east of the US meant that signal from the States,
Canada
and Mexico tended to be LOUD! Regardless of the direction of our
beam, they
pounded in. If we went below the US phone bands looking for EU, the
VE’s
still pounded in off the side of the beam. When we “played to our
strength” by turning the Yagi west, we had great rates on 20 and 15!
A comment about the antennas. Although some were low, relative to the
ground,
they were 70’ to 100’ above the nearby (150 yards) Atlantic Ocean on a
northwest sloping site. Nothing like location and terrain to give
signals a
boost! We had a minor mechanical problem with our antenna matching
unit which
kept us off 80 and 160 on Friday evening. On Saturday, we managed a
repair
(NOTE: Always, always take a Leatherman tool in your check bag!) and
managed
450+ Q’s on the low bands Saturday night. Our apologies to those we
missed
Friday.
Coming from the Eastern PA (K3YD, writing) I’m used to crisp Fall
temperatures, and leaves on the ground for CQWW-SSB. We spent the
entire
contest period in T-shirt and shorts. The daytime temps were about 80
and
sunny; the night-time “cooled down” to about 70. Of course, W3TB who
lives
near Tampa didn’t think this weather was at all unusual. (again ‘YD)
I
hand carried my ‘756Pro in a small, hard sided suitcase, padded with
clothing
and foam rubber. I did have to remove the radio for TSA’s X-ray
screening,
but was never questioned about it! I’m thinking smaller, lighter radio
for
my next trip, though. By the time I got home Monday night, I think
both of my
arms were stretched an inch longer!
Our thanks to Ed and his wonderful family for allowing us to operate
from their
home on the warm, sunny island of Bermuda. Thanks, also, Ed for all
your help
in getting our Bermuda operating permit and with showing us around
Bermuda. We can’t wait to return.
