I'm practicing morsecode with morserunner since a couple of months with one goal : participating in the UBA springcontest.
Saterday I wanted to finish the ladderline to put up an inverted V, but the homebrew ladderline took more time then expected. So I cutted
2 lengths of 20m to create a dipool for 80m. After summe cutting and tweaking the antenne was up and ready for some tests.
Performance seemed to be OK  (just to bad it wasn't up for the VP6 DXped).
When the antenne was UP I started the IT work. Installing the N1MM logger and fixing the interface between the PC and the radio.
I had to replace 3.5 mono jack by a stereo model. OQ7R was ready to hit the airwaves..
This was my first 80m antenna in years, So I worked some stations in the early evening.
Sunday morning I got up with a headach but decided to give it a go....
When starting I discover a littele RF issue but after adding a little coil between the interface cable, I was ready to go again  ;-))
While I'm on a DXped or running a special event station I easely establish rates from + 120 QSOs but I had trouble with
exchanging reports. So I maintainde a rather slow speed (21wpm) and logged 72 QSOs. Not bad, but not satisfying either.
So, for my successors, it's good practicing morserunner and achiving speeds > 120 QSOs/hr but real contesting may turn out a little different.
I like this 4 hour contest. If I get permission from the yl I will propably participating in the SSB part as well.
Special thanks to PA0LOU who learned me a new trick. He was calling me with someone on top of my frequncy. He drifted a bit off frequency
and the dragged me with his signal, something to remember for the next CW contest.
worked some PA, DL and G stations, but no F-stations heard, anyone else did?

Thanks for reading   
the contest rookie

Frank - OQ7R

 

Hi,

Well, the title reflects my feelings. VP6 was a major DXped but due to lack of time and because I could'nt be QRV on the right moments I missed the opportunity to work more band/slots. I managed to work the on 40 in CW & SSB so DXCC wise there is no problem. They guys were quit strong with their  stacked verticals, specially on 40. The last weekend of the operation I called ON4CLQ if I could use his radio loaction with yagi. Patrick invited me over, but conditions were poor so no contacts on higher HF frequencies.
Last Friday I went to the clubstation, the QSL manager received a new pile of QSL cards.
Most of the cards I found in my box were for the lighthouse operation of last summer, but also received some nice cards form the belgian TZ DXpedition and a beautiful card from 9M2/PG5M.
There were a few card from HB0, the first cards for my DXCC.  One card was for a CW QSO  with HB0/DL2OBO. Tom has a nice website and added several pictures and sounfiles. A must read.
I want to close today with some sad news. This week, fellow amateur Chris ON7ZE went SK. I met  Chris when I became ham, 15 years ago. We didn't met often,  but it was always great when we met and his QSOs will be missed on 2m. Chris, see you on the other side of the mountain.

That's it for now. I'll try to wright an update sunday evening. I hope to participate in the UBA spring contest (CW), if you hear me, don't hesitate to give me some points.

Franky - ON7RU