2017 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB @ W5WZ

ARRL Sweepstakes Contest, SSB

Call: W5WZ
Operator(s): W5WZ KN5O K5ER WM5H WA5VQP
Station: W5WZ

Class: Multi-Op HP
QTH: LA
Operating Time (hrs): 23:58

Summary:
Band  QSOs
————
 160:    0
  80:  269
  40:  839
  20:  655
  15:  104
  10:    0
————
Total: 1867  Sections = 83  Total Score = 309,922

Club: Louisiana Contest Club

Comments:

This year the LCC members opted to go to W5WZ’s QTH for our annual SS SSB Contest get together.  Previously we have run as W5RU(@KN5O).

This time of year, WX can be an issue for us.  Fortunately a cold front passed though our area just prior to the start of the contest, so we had excellent WX conditions (no thunderstorms to deal with).  Additionally, we didn’t have any computer and/or antenna radio equipment problems, so it was “all good.”  

We started off on 20m and 15m and noticed that our 20m performance dropped off earlier than usual, forcing us to move to 40m and 80m sooner than we have in the past.  However we were able to put 82 sections in the log after about 6 hours of operation, missing only NL.  By 1AM (when we usually take our first break), we had nearly 1100 Qs in the log – good but not as good as we have had
in the past.  

On Sunday, the rate was substantially down from years past.  We did the best we could in trying to run, but it was somewhat disappointing.  Conditions are obviously deteriorating.  All that being said, we were able to work VO1KVT for our last mult early Sunday morning.  He had a pretty good pileup and managed it well.  After putting him in the log, we just had to settle down and run as best we could.

All-in-all, we had a good time and are satisfied with our performance.  We had lots of food and snacks and a good time was had by all.  Many thanks to Scott (W5WZ) and his wife Sharon (KW5MOM) for allowing us to invade their home. 

We want to thank everyone for the Qs and wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

And, on a very positive note, we noticed large numbers of Checks in the past 2 year.  The new hams ARE getting on the air!

For W5WZ and the LCC members- 

Ted KN5O, Mark K5ER, Bobby WM5H, Shawn WA5VQP and Scott, W5WZ