ARRL DX Contest, SSB
Call: VY2ZM
Operator(s): K6AAX
Station: VY2ZM
Class: SOAB HP
QTH: PEI
Operating Time (hrs): 48
Summary:
Band QSOs Mults
-------------------
160: 107 48
80: 478 75
40: 693 91
20: 1319 101
15: 974 85
10: 229 59
-------------------
Total: 3800 459 Total Score = 5,231,223
Club: Northern California Contest Club
Comments:
This whole adventure began a week ago, which started with dashing to San
Francisco Airport (SFO) immediately after sunrise Sunday (CQ 160 Contest) to
catch a flight to Boston. After spending a brief evening with K1ZM (Dad) and
family at their home QTH on Cape Cod, the normally 17 hour drive to Prince
Edward Island (PEI) began.
17 hours...I wish. After fighting a transition from rain, freezing rain,
sleet
and snow through MA, NH, ME, New Brunswick and PEI, we finally arrived after
22
hours. We then were greeted with 3 feet of snow at the foot of the driveway,
which prevented us from parking. After another two hours of shoveling, we
were
ready to park the car off the road. We then had to navigate the 1 mile walk
down the lane way to the house and retrieve the snow mobile (ski doo) and
bring
our provisions down from the car. The walk took well over an hour with a base
snow depth of 3+ feet and 10 foot snow drifts (REALLY). Did I mention the
balmy -15C temperature and 40mph+ light breeze? Remember, I live in the SF
Bay Area. Unreal!!!!!
After getting established and catching up on some rest, my Dad spent time with
me going over the station and, to his credit, had everything working great. I
was ready...yeah right. As far as contesting goes prior to this one, I
participated in the 2010 CA CQP, 2010 Sweepstakes SSB and the 2011 CQ 160 SSB
contests (all from CA).
When I finally sat down on and turned everything on, I immediately realized
why
I made the grueling trip. WOW...WOW...WOW!!!! Europe literally is in the
room
on 160m, 80m and 40m here.
Contest....
Admittedly, I am very GREEN. I certainly had not prepared myself enough for
the 48 hour iron man challenge. After a slow start, I began to find some
traction on the low bands while trying to work the 2nd radio for the 1st time
in my life. I am sure that you can imagine how that went for me. As the
contest moved into the 0400Z hour the 1st day, my run rate started to improve
and so did my confidence level. I hit the 20m opening at 1000z and OMG. I
have never heard anything like it in my life. UNBELIEVABLE! Is everyone
required to have a ham license in Europe? There was a seemingly endless
supply
of Europeans to work, coupled with some great mults, such as JT, HS, A61, JA,
VR2, BD, YB, VU, VK6... It certainly surpassed any previous ham radio
experiences on the west coast. Another memorable moment was when 10 meters
opened up to Europe and Africa at 1500z the 1st day and again the 2nd day.
2nd day
The 48 hour iron man challenge really took its toll on me. I found myself
going upstairs to sleep, and my dad quickly routed me back downstairs with a
cup of coffee. I distinctly remember, "IF YOU ARE NOT RUNNING, YOU ARE
LOSING...YOU ARE LOSING!" With that pep talk under my belt, I went back
downstairs. I believe that I was YV2ZM instead of VY2ZM and EIP instead of
PEI
once or twice. I was sooo exhausted, and, as a result, I did not work the 2nd
radio very well the 2nd day.
I really appreciate all the calls and feel very very very fortunate to be
given
such a great opportunity to operate from the VY2ZM station. Thanks for
keeping
me so well fed! Love ya, Dad!
K6AAX
Patrick
Love
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