[DX] RTTY contest this weekend

[R o b e r t W o o d]

530 Q's x 64 multi's  - under 16 hrs in chair  (can't find where writelog tracks this to get good number)

 73 Q - 80 M
153 Q- 40 M
235 Q- 20 M
 74 Q - 15 M
   1 Q - 10 M

Had considered SO2R earlier but discovered the laptop mic input would only support one channel.  The laptop supports stereo inputs but it appears the docking station is needed to do that.  Spent some time insuring the laptop would only go one input.  This is odd to me to have a newer faster better laptop and my OLD 233mhz ThinkPad that I bought used has stereo input and gets the high mark from the soundboard check program.  Guess for RTTY weekend need to set a desktop up with a good sound card.  

Spent more time then expected getting the OMNI ready.  Decided I would set the OMNI 6 up in FSK and give it a try.
It seemed less painful to operate RTTY with the FSK setup.   The fixed audio on output on back of the OMNI was soldered between connections on AF PC board.  Probably poor solder from original factory and the fixed audio on back had never been used.   Opened up the OMNI, removed the board and fixed the solder issue after spending hours checking my cables, connections, laptop, etc.  
Another issue checked while repairing the OMNI was the audio pot.   Sure nuf the pot is linear rather then an audio type.  Disappointing as that has to be a factory screw up that someone has lived with all these years.  I detect from searching the TenTec reflector that others have gotten the same part error.   
The OMNI held up well during the test.  100 watts out and ran fairly hot on rig and power supply fins during long stretches.
The manual states use fans on fins if exceeding 20 minutes continuous - fans for next year.

Had problem getting the MTTY plug in setup with writelog.   the writelog.ini file pointed to wrong file location and had to manually edit the file to get things to work.    The edit was not difficult but discovering that was issue was time consuming.   MTTY worked great during the test.

Had considered a serious 24 hour effort with SO2R earlier in week.  Had OMNI setup, had two coax cables from antennas to shack by Saturday noon.  Still had not connected 2nd radio and got it setup.   Decided a more relaxed test the station weekend was in order.  Had some good pileups at times.   Converted the tower from 160 to 80 meter vertical and used it during the contest.   EA1 and I exchanged many times on 80 RTTY but he could not get my callsign correct.
For being open 15 was poor.   20 was good with lots of folks while it was open.   40 was good but as 80 packed the number of folks on 40 declined a bunch.
The Europe openings seem non-existent most of the weekend and surprised did not get Europe rolling in on 40 RTTY during.  


73 Robert


----- Original Message ----- 
From: A. Sewell N5NA 
To: dx at w5qgg.org 
Sent: Monday, January 08, 2007 12:13 PM
Subject: Re: [Dx] RTTY Contest Results from W5wRL


Sounds good Bill.  I had 120 QSO's and 43 mults for a score of 5040 pts in 4.4 hrs.

That 1A4A didn't have any business in the RTTY part of the band during a contest.  That was just asking for problems.  I'm sure he was weak here.  Probably the east coast were the only ones hearing him.

I did finally work him on 40m CW last night.  I called and called.  Finally his signal came on up and the pile-up died down and I worked him.  New one for me.

73,

Alan

Bill wrote: 
  Gents



  I operated low power and ended up with the following results:



  Total points: 23,184

  Number of contacts: 322

  Multipliers: 72



  Operated on 80, 40, 20 and 15



  The start was shaky. At the start I was transmitting on top of the 1a4a station and got chewed out by some guys. A couple of emails later it was settled. My fault.



  This is an easy contest to work. IF you can use a mouse you got it made.



  Se you on the next contest,



  73,



  Bill - W5WRL





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