IARU Region I VHF Contest 2007

After record result in July contest, in September VHF Contest we achieved even better one. Conditions were not just abnormal, but in spite of that we logged a lot of nice contacts. Some problems occurred again, but all is well that ends well.

As usual, we started with loading on Friday morning in Martin to be on the top as soon as possible. Weather forecast on Saturday was not very favorable, so we wanted to build all antennas within limits. But that was only our plan During way up, back axle differential on our club UAZ (that’s the ugly off-road 4WD van ) broke and we stayed on the road. Paul OM6AL demounted both half shafts and cardan shaft in a while to keep car still drivable. Fortunately we ordered old ex military 6WD lorry to have more place in ham shack (it’s really old – nearly 50 years, but very useful for us and very good in terrain) and its driver was just driving around us. So we loaded this lorry by all heavy junk and continued in drive to the top. In final part of uphill we had to be towed by iron rope, because it was impossible to get to the top with only single (the front one) driven axle. Well at 14:00 we reached QTH and after some welcome drinks started to build antennas. Mast with internet antenna was erected as first, to be live in camera and till evening also two twins 16 el. I0JXX and 9 el. DK7ZB.
Since July contest we added another small antenna system for direction to UR, YO and YU. Its building took place on Saturday morning in typical contest weather – wind, rain and fog. About one and half hour before contest everything was ready for testing. All antennas were receiving, but after switching of PTT suddenly wreath of smoke started to rise from transverter box… Fortunately source of fire was only switching transistor in PTT timer. Reparation with help of available supplies took some time, which is always very rich. Few minutes before contest we were on air again although without third PA, which we borrowed for use with third antenna system. Never mind, Norbert OM6NM started pile-up. Conditions were not so good, but after clouds started to tear, more DLs appeared in the log. In three hours we had 228 QSO and 60.000 points. Not bad… In the evening, Fero OM6AR with Jozef OM6AM finished reparation of third PA so we could run about 200 W into third antenna system. It is not too much, but even thought helpful. I changed with Norbert and began night shift. Conditions improved and number of long distance contacts grows. The first over 900 km were traditionally guys of DR5A (904 km), later called us I1AXE (1006 km), who became ODX. My loud pleasure woke Fero OM6AR and because there was no coffee all around, we touched glasses of good Scotch. In the morning I changed with Norbert again and went “to bed” for few hours. Norbert made next two nice contacts to Italy over 900 km – IZ1ESM (902 km) and IQ7ML/7 (911 km). Overall we were pleased by amount of Italian and German stations in the log.
Final result is really satisfying - for the first time we cleared the bar of 700 QSOs and final score is our new record.
Live camera with audio transmission was in operation again, but demand of visitors increased, so sometimes 11 Mbps internet link was not enough.

Here are some pictures, more info about result in contest report.

Thanks to all for calling and see you in October.

Michael, OM6AZ

Team OM50KHE:

Vilo OM3CDZ, Palo OM6AL, Jozef OM6AM, Fero OM6AR, Jano OM6AW, Michael OM6AZ, Norbert OM6NM, Milan OM6SZ, Miro OM6TU, Miro ex OM3WMB

Creation date : 04/09/2007 @ 22:32
Last update : 21/02/2008 @ 22:18
Category : Stories 2007
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