The first using of phased RX verticals in real contest, but…

I spent weeks before the contest by constructing of 5 circle RX verticals (VE6WZ/W1FV concept). Electric part has made and optimised and excellently tuned by Bel, OM8AW (antenna guru of OM0M). Verticals provide outstanding performance, both, back and side signals are extremely suppressed. There was no exception of suppression of S8 signal to S0! So, I was looking forward to the live test in the contest.

It lasted 2,5 hour, then silent, but from all directions. One improper PTT sequencer setting caused short, but fatal peak towards preamps. Two out of 6 burned… Fortunately I have still K9AY in the air.

Conditions looked fine at the beginning, first night of good opening to NA. More or less, but opened since midnight. But no opened east directions on Saturday evening. Second night was worse, only cca 2 hours of NA opening on morning and in addition weaker than day before. 69 W/VE in total. Fortunately, I was on the right place in right time on Sunday evening. Eastern opening brought 14 JAs.

It looks like less number of both, participants and mults. Miles far from 2020. Probably combination of influences – conditions, Corona, Putin’s war…

One appeal to Assisted guys: do not believe in infallibility of cluster spots. One bad spot (OK7K) brought me dupe storm and penalty for counter stations. Believe, but check.

Final result: good relax, big adventure, a lot of new things learned.

Thanks to all TopBand fans!

FINAL score:   484 677
Category:      SO HP
Rank:          WW #14   EU #3   OM #2

RAW score:     493 328
Category:      SO HP
Rank:          WW #14   EU #3   OM #2

Call: OM7K
Operator(s): OM7RU
Station: OM7RU

Class: Single Op HP
QTH: JN98OQ
Operating Time (hrs): 29:42
Location : Europe

Summary:

  QSOs     State/Prov   Countries   Total Score
-------------------------------------------------
   1027        24           63          488,157
-------------------------------------------------

Used equipments:
Yaesu FT-1000MP MarkV Field
OM Power 3500A
microHAMs: MK2R+, Station Master, doubleTEN
OM Power OM6BPF
DXLog

Antennas:
Half Sloper, 5-circle RX verticals, K9AY loops

73! Riki, OM7RU/OM7K
www.tucek.sk/om7ru