NX6T's Fab-Four Fly Forward for CQ-160 Ssb GiG

R u n n i n g   1 8 1 5 . 1 5

After last weekend's [projected] S-W Division win in the ARRL Dx Cw contest, looking back, 160 was the low-band most lacking; altho incredibly, long-haul Dx (from the W6 viewpoint) made it into the log.
While Space-WX reports were optimistically favorable, those #'s did not take into account the reality of our being 900' up the hill, in Fallbrook.

Oblivious to this being an SSB contest weekend, several PTT switches were left languishing in various locations @W7AYT (in Concord).  Initially, shorting two wires created a crude PTT effect,
until it occurred to use one paddle of a Hamkey keyer paddle (with the unit on its side) as a pushdown PTT switch; oh what a difference technology makes

This weekend brought together a number of ssb contest-fluent operators as well as the
appearance of a nearly-new Kenwood TS-890 for use at STN-3, the multiplier-hunting OP-position. 
(I will have more to say about this TS-890 @STN-3 in coming BLOG entries - stay tuned.)

Dennis N6KI started the contest off with some B-I-C (butt in chair) action, while I cobbled together
the necessary audio cables putting the Heil HC-4 PRO into the mic audio line and then load up the Elecraft K3/0's 4 Voice Keyer memories.  With the coming of the 04:00z "dinner hour", N6KI enjoyed his traditional Sat. evening dinner break while I split the OP time between (first) S&P and layer running frequencies.



W Q 6 X  R e m o t e  S e t u p

For many years now, intentional QRM is part of WQ6X's 40 meter operations from NX6T; this weekend was certainly NO exception.  At one point a station moved atop the run frequency with a BiG carrier for 5+ minutes, followed by Ssb testing on USB.  While the K3 auto-notch works on the K3/0 eliminating it in MY ears, the IDIOT tuner-upper is STILL there and probably as LOUD as I am. 
When I changed frequency, so did the QRM; i.e., nothing accidental about that. 
I thought intentional QRM happened only on 40-meters after 08:00z.

N 6 K I  @  0 6 : 3 0 z

N6KI relieved me at 06:15z.  Less than 3 hours later WQ6X was back in the remote operator "chair".  Immediately after 09:00z the QRN-level jumped to S9+15db.  No setting of the DNR-Dsp was of
any value w/o destroying the voice quality of weak Ssb signals.

At NX6T, the 160 antenna is nothing more than a coaxial inverted vee (70' apex).  While we could
not hear many S9+ signals (due to the noise) I received e-mail notifications and spots indicating that our 1.35kw signal was being heard in Europe.  It is frustrating for me knowing that we are being heard (in the N/E - S/W direction) yet we can't hear those who are hearing us.  At one point, a VK2 station called in on Cw (which of course does not count in an Ssb contest).

N 6 E E G  +  N 6 K I

By 12:30z, continuing noise-levels and intermittent internet dropouts conspired against my continuing on further.  I shut things down knowing that NN6X and N6EEG will join up with N6KI in less than 12 hours to give it another GO.

N X 6 T  @  S u n r i s e

You may recall that last year I wrote a WQ6X BLOG series on my BEEFs regarding radio sport.  ([CLICK HERE] to read that series.)  For this year's CQ-160 Ssb contest, one of my biggest Beefs was #3 in the Beef-List: stations who work NX6T and then less than 10 minutes later they call in again.

HuH?  Am I missing something?  WTF is that all about? 
What part of DUP QSO do they not get?

Saturday evening was a slow go; partially from having "worked everyone" the night before, and partially from the fascination with the Kenwood TS-890 in Fallbrook and WQ6X (in the SF bay area) learning all the various DNR settings available via the Elecraft K3/0.

Being the nightshift operator again Saturday, operating time was split between S&P, running frequencies and dodging National Tuneup Frequencies; something, the K3/0's auto-notch DSP handled quite nicely. 

Sunday morning (14:20z), after putting RT0F into the log I finally shut things down. 
1-Qso every 8 minutes is not my idea of a GooD time; especially at 6am.

Overall the 160 contest was a mild amount of fun.
On the Fallbrook end, the test-run of the new TS-890 was (according to N6KI) a resounding
success; so much so that the new Kenwood seems to have become the current replacement
for the Elecraft K3, formerly installed at STN-#3.

Did YOU work the CQ-160 Ssb contest?
Is NX6T in YOUR Log?