CQ 160-Meter Contest, CW
Call: ZL6QH
Operator(s): ZL1AZE ZL2BSJ
Station: ZL6QH
Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: Wellington
Operating Time (hrs): 24
Summary:
Total: QSOs = 2666 State/Prov = 41 Countries = 15 Total Score = 149,296
Club: WARC
Comments:
At the end of 2005, the ZL6QH site was visted by 200 km/hr breezes.
As a result, the 10 m yagis retired from active service, along with
newly installed 160 m and 80 m slopers.
With team leader Brian ZL1AZE in the climbing harness, a support crew
(safely on the ground) of ZL2BCW, ZL2AOV and ZL2BSJ managed
to get the antenna farm semi-operational again.
The 80 m sloper was re-incarnated as a 160 m sloper. In order to minimise
receiver blocking from the Wellington GPS transmitter on 1816 kHz, the
sloper was carefully rotated and fixed on North America.
That gave us a choice of 3 antennas to transmit on: an Eu/JA sloper, a
VE/USA sloper and the Tee, a top-loaded GP. Vee beams were used on a 2nd
receiver for RX-only.
The newly rigged slopers were found to be good for dodging ZL digi QRM.
Only 1815 through to 1821 kHz was completely wiped out. The choice of antennas
paid off: more unworkable 160 m stations heard than ever before :-)
Condx had to be better than ARRL-160 and Stew Perry, and so it was. However,
no long path to the British Isles at ZL sunset both evenings. And no short
path to Eastern and Central Eu on the first morning either.
The 2nd morning produced useful Eu signals. The QRM must have been
significant in Europe as not much of it was workable. Time was passed
by pouncing on the dozens of Eu stations and spotting those that couldn't
hear us (most of them). The short path briefly extended as far west as DL as
the band faded 40 minutes after sunrise. No Scandinavia heard.
North America was far easier both nights, with K9DX the first QSO in the log.
At times good S9 signals from OR,CA, CO stations such as K7RAT AA0RS etc.
Most of NA seemed workable with a bit of perseverance, even the elusive
Far Side. The occasional USA op could not be convinced to repeat their
State more than once,or grudgingly, twice. Deleted as incomplete QSOs, those
ops later refused to work us: 'QSO b4'
Good activity out of JA and UA9 (JH4UYB strong for hours) despite digi QRM
covering most of the JA window. Not much action out of the remainder of Asia.
No SA or Africa heard.
Last year's spectacular propagation (according to ZL6QH contest lore) clearly
didn't eventuate. Summer static was a problem at times, and our score is down
50% of last year's. Nevertheless, the band was as good as can be expected from
here. We worked stations enjoyed being on 160.
Thanks for working ZL6QH. QSL via bureau or direct via ZL2AOH. We're brooding
on plans to somehow wring more 160 m dBs out of the site.
73
Wilbert, ZL2BSJ
for ZL6QH ops ZL1AZE ZL2BSJ
------------
Multiplier List:
NAM:
MA NH NY DE MD GA KY NC FL SC TN VA AR NM TX CA
AZ ID MT NV OR UT WA MI OH WV IL IN WI CO IA KS
MO SD NS PE NF ON SK AB BC
DX:
HS JA JT KH0 KH2 KH6 KL KP2 UA UA2 UA9 VK XE
YB
ZL
<EOF>
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