WQ6X Reprises another NAQP Cw Dual-Operation

NAQP is a unique contest as domestic-style contests go.  Being a 12 hour contest (10 hours for Single-OPs), it often seems over shortly after it begins.  NAQP GiGs have a 100-watt limit and

single-OPs are not allowed to run assisted.  Altho NAQP is largely a North American contest,

we can work any DX stations who happen to call in; altho we get no multiplier credit for working

them.

 

For this NAQP event, I chose to run another Dual-OP operation from Concord.  Having 6 operators

for NX6T allowed me to run a pair of 2-hours sessions remotely and put in nearly 8 hours as WQ6X from W7AYT.  Before/during/after the event, time was made to revamp wiring/cabling behind the scenes in Concord.  While things more-or-less look the same from the front, rerouting the equipment cabling and antenna/coax runs helped resolve many of the audio RFI problems I've been dealing with during the last couple of years.

 

Overall, operations in Concord ran nearly flawless, with the exception of 160 meters.  No matter how the antennas were tuned, on 160 near-vicinity RFI would BOMB the internet router barely 10 feet away from the operating table; an estimated dozen potential QSOs were lost due to this problem.  After the contest, rerouting the cables seemed to resolve the 160 problem; unfortunately by then,

it was too late. 

 

This situation brings back unpleasant memories from NX6T (about 4 years ago) when our 160-meter operation would take Fallbrook's internet router offline.  Back then, our solution was to enclose the router unit inside a pair of aluminum baking pans that were electrically sealed shut - the ultimate Faraday cage.  My question is whether or not something akin to an MFJ Artificial Ground unit (essentially a ground tuner) can eliminate any stray RF floating around the Concord hamshack.

 

Lately, NX6T has been experiencing "little" hardware failures, here and there.  During the last 2 GiGs the problem was an intermittent connection with the Expert-2k amplifier.  For the NAQP RTTY GiG

I had hoped to run the amp at EXACTLY 99.99 watts (full duty).  Instead I ran the K3 (full duty)

at a (significantly cooler) 50 watts.

 

This weekend the problem was an aging WX0B antenna switch box.  Inside, the relays were either sticking or not engaging at all; the solution being frantic band switching leaving us on an ailing 15 meters.  When 40 meters became "worthy" we got only one (i.e. a coin-flip) chance at switching

there - for good during the NAQP; no going back.  Luckily the 2-el "Shorty-40" made up for any hassles we may have gone thru.

 

When it was ALL Over, NX6T put 1279 QSOs into the log while WQ6X made a WHOPPING

69 QSOs - Dewd!  All that matters to me really is that another Dual-OP operation was accomplished from my portable location in Concord.

 

DiD YOU work last weekend's NAQP Cw contest?

 

Is NX6T and/or WQ6X in YOUR Log?