K3Y anniversary event:
Had a total of 94 K3Y contacts. Only region I was not able to get was Asia and the only band I was not able to work was 6 meters. Asian stations only had a total on 101 QSOs, the lowest of all regions (only three operators). 6 meters only had 15 total QSOs, the lowest of all bands. So not to get either is understandable, especially being in VT. If you go here K3Y-statistics participants and search on my call sign, you can see my results. I think next year I will try and work as a K3Y station. I still lack a little confidence to have done it this year. After all, I have only had my license for four years and CW is still a struggle for me. I also want to use my Speed-X semi-automatic key. My hand gets very tired using the straight key. But I still need a lot of practice before I am comfortable using it.
160m Sloper antenna:
I have been encouraged by the few 160 meters QSOs I have had with my OCF 80-6 meter dipole to think about putting up a 160 meter Sloper antenna. I ordered one from www.cablehelp.com for about $70.00 or so. I think they are $20.00 off at the moment. I am curious to see how it performs. The reason I decided to get a separate antenna for 160 is I worry about the high SWR with my OCF dipole. I keep the power low so as not, hopefully, damage my radio.
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| 160 meter Sloper |
WAS awards:
Well I finally got the ARRL mixed mode WAS (LoTW). I already have mixed mode WAS from QRZ and eQSL.cc, and Mixed CW on QRZ. I am one shy of 50 for ARRL CW. I need North Dakota. If you know anyone in ND that uses LoTW and is willing to do some CW, please let me know.
February WES:
Did not do the January WES. I was down in MA for a family get together, so I missed it. However, I did manage to work the February WES and had my personal best of 110 QSOs. I was 22nd overall and 13th in my category. Propagation was very good, with a number of 10 meter contacts.
Operating:
I am pretty much a CW geek now. It is all I have done for the last couple of months. Occasionally someone will ask me for a digital or SSB QSO for WAS, but that is about it.
Since Jan 8 I have had 249 QSOs of which I have recorded 82 as K3Y, which I shouldn't have, but oh well. I have asked K3Y operators to let me know if they wanted me to log them under their personal call sign and some did. Some logged QSOs to eQSL.cc so I confirmed them already and also unloaded to LoTW. However, LoTW does not let you know if another station is waiting for you to confirm their QSL, so I don't know if they want my QSL or not. One of things I don't like about LoTW.
I did not participate in the NAQCC January or February sprints or the SKS in January. Hope to do the February SKS.
Flex-6300:
The rig has been working great. There has been two software updates, but I have not yet installed them. There is always some issue with CAT and DAX ports not working correctly so I will wait awhile. Basically the 1.6 release has more to do with contesting then anything else. The 1.5 release still has the problem of forgetting settings when changing bands but I get around that by typing in the frequency in rather then changing the band. The devil you know right?
Windows 10:
I have been running Windows 10 now with no real problems. I had it crash when I was trying to do something with Skype, I think, but I really don't use Skype so not an issue right now.
Projects:
Well let me say it. I have been very lazy with projects so shame on me.
If you have any comments or ideas I would like to hear them.
All for now -73-
