From: G4FNL
Date: Wed, 16 Mar 2022 16:16:14 GMT

It has been interesting to read and compare notes with others for this years contest. I only submitted a check log last year because of Covid-19 restrictions. In previous years I have operated as an HQ station. This year, I was just a plain G station. I thought it might be much tougher – and it was.

I was in the High Power Assisted section, using a single Elecraft K3, Alpha 89 amp and a triband Yagi at around 50ft and dipoles + verticals on LF. I heard the usual suspects from G land – and my serial number was close – but Nick G4FAL , operating as M5DX did really well. I take my hat off to him – because he seemed to be everywhere that I was – but he was in the unassisted section and with a much higher serial number. I am grateful that he chose his short call. I think he did that partly altruistically – and I am very grateful.

Conditions seemed OK – and certainly a bit better on the Sunday morning on 10 and 15m. The K index was at 2 at the start – but the solar flux did peak to around 126 over the weekend. So, not ideal – but it could have been much worse. The period between 02:00z and 05:00 was truly awful  – no one to work and feeling  very tired. The only consolation is knowing that it’s the same for everyone else.  It was great to work the travellers – I’m so grateful that you guys made that huge effort.

I made 5 band QSOs with 5B4WN, 5Z4VJ, C56DF, GB5CC and VK6T. Terrific signals from Kevin who was S7 on my meter on 10m. Most others QSOs on that band were at much lower levels. Unfortunately, I didn’t manage to work all the UK HQ stations on all bands which was disappointing.

It was tricky on 80m. The ‘Air Horn’ QRM was a thorough nuisance – not sure I received Andy 5Z4VJ’s number correctly. He was right underneath the signal. Unfortunately, we also had a G station that obviously wasn’t hearing and kept transmitting over the top of him which made things a bit tricky too.  Separately, there was a VE station who was calling CQ – and getting lots of callers from G stations  – but he didn’t hear them. Obviously, he must have had high receive noise levels.

I’ll be trying to improve things for next year.  I plan to be operating as SO2R and hopefully with some improved vertical antennas. Here’s my claimed score breakdown, according to N1MM.

Thanks to everyone for the QSOs….

73 Graham G4FNL