particular qualms about calling it the Commonwealth Contest or BERU – but
BERU is just much more suitable for identifying and sending using CW and
ending a plaintive CQ with “CC” instead of “BERU” just wouldn’t work.
HF propagation was poor certainly worse compared to last year. It was
really hard work to stay fully alert right through – especially after having
had flu last week too.
I tried to move bands fairly frequently and general called CQ as soon as
landing on a new band to try and provoke some response. I am not sure how
successful that was. Generally, things went well. As is fairly normal these
days, I did receive some anti contest abuse which I ignored and it soon
disappeared. I also worked some non-Commonwealth callers and when the
opportunity was available, I briefly explained the situation. I think they
appreciated that and they politely moved on.
My set up = K3 + Alpha Amp + 3 Element Tri-band Yagi at 60ft + high dipoles
for 40m and 80m + ¼ wave vertical for 80m and Beverage receiving aerials.
Here are the band scores (Hope the formatting remains intact)
BAND QSO PTS
3.5 143 1355
7 179 2065
14 216 2610
21 81 1065
28 28 280
————————
647 7375 total
————————
Footnote: unfortunately my HF Yagi antenna failed at just after 08:00z this
morning and hence I was a bit limited in the last couple of hours really
annoying.
Thanks to EVERYONE for the QSOs – and it was great that whenever I worked
anyone of the BERU travelling fraternity, I would have a vision of them
sitting outside in some sunny holiday spot (not VO1) making QSOs, dressed in
their Dinner Jackets etc. Am I the only one who has this quaint (and
completely false) image???
73 Graham G4FNL