In my opinion this is the best contest on top band, spread on four season, no any assistance for all, commitment to receive exactly the report (grid locator),great presence of North american stations, no too much hours stolen from the family, and great fun for real top bander...
Unfortunately many Ham do not know how the 160 works, missing the patience to wait the rigth peak, in 5 - 6 qso whit USA, I ended qso in 2-3 minuts, because deep and slow QSB, signals disappear quikly and come on slowly after 30-40 seconds and so on. Needs Patience, Guys! Few time in run, many in s/p, I was low power and about ten NA did not heard me, among these xe2x,k7rl (WA),and cx3vm. I contact 35 NA, ( 4 bust) not bad for 100 watts ( but big antenna of course 2 full size vertical dipoles east/west) and 2 double size ewe, flag and some beverages. We had share the band with vp6r and 5k0k pileup, vp6r very big, I was focused on contest and I wasn'tinterested about vp6 or 5k0, but durin my sun rise the VP6R signal has risen stongly, S6 on ewe ant s9 on vertical dipole, over dipole noise floor. I was stunned and I decider to throw a couple of call. Only 5 call was needed to get answer... amazing, this is my best dx ever with 100 w, about 16.000 km but no valid for contest becouse he gave me no grid report :-), so I tried, with succes, with 5k0k too. VP6R signal came till 6:15 Z ( 1 hour after my SR), when all NA stations was disappeared, VP6R cames yet. My best dx: K0RF (CO) tnx Chuck ! I am looking forward for the next one ! ik2clb Marco _________________ Searchable Archives: http://www.contesting.com/_topband - Topband Reflector
