144/432 Mhz March Contest

 

Just to let you know Marie-Ann & I attempted a station for the contest this weekend. We decided to enter the 6hour Open section so will not be going back up on Sunday(today).

 

As this was the first portable contest I have done for a while there are as always a number of things I will attempt to do better next time but band conditions where quite bad. Only worked 30 stations all UK based.

 

Did hear a few French, German & Belgium station but band conditions did not allow for a complete contact to be made.

 

Next contest will be the 144Mhz UKAC.

 

Regards

 

Andy G0UWS & Marie-Ann M6UWS

 

 

Yes only got approx 40 Watts due to only driving it with half the power it really wanted.

 

What went well.

 

Well as you say I made it up there and yes Marie-Ann and I made some contacts a total of 30 giving us 3077 Points. Shame there was a lot of QSB everyone was suffering. Did make 3 contacts overseas but QSB hindered the QSO being completed so a lot of points where lost.

 

Battery held up better than I thought. Inverter was a must for laptop charging.

 

Basicalliy it was nice to be back on the air with the rig after being sat in a box since 2001 when it was last used.

 

What could I do better.

 

Well get up there a bit earlier for a start I was one hour late starting. Put a bit more metal in the air. The site was ok but toilets would of been good for Marie-Ann. Still you cant have everything. !!!!  I will continue to see what other possible sites are around as not over happy with the ground around the site it didnt drop away as much as I would of liked.

 

What would you change next time?

 

I dont think a 5 ele was really enough so more metal would be good. A rotator as manual was a bit hard with the guys as well.

A bit more input power to the linear would be good - But next time I see my dad I will be getting hold of his 200watt with selectable input.

 

A better way to put up aerial as the full 23foot pole was difficult for me to handle and it wobbled a bit once up so I had to reduce it down to 18 foot without Marie-Ann at the bottom holding it I doubt I would of been able to get the guys in the ground so I need to come up with a plan. Maybe a stake in next to tripod to use as a steady with a bungy strap around it till the guys are in.

 

Many thanks for the loan of the linear and Inverter I will have to go and get one now. But would like to get a rotator arranged before hand so I can work out what rating of inverter to go for.

 

 

Thanks to Mike & Frank for coming up to see how it was going.

 

Roll on the next rally.

 

Regards

 

Andy