CQ-WW-160-SSB

Well, I did not plan to take part in that one. As reported earlier I have an RFI problem using the remote on 160 m. Practically this means I’m limited to about 15-20 watts output if I want to reliably transfer TX audio through the line without loosing packets or even the complete connection. Nevertheless it was itching to do some QSOs Friday evening. 🙂 Thus I decided to do at least a few contacts with 5 watts for a small QRP entry and see what happens. After all it meant catching a few points for the club competition for the BCC, too. But 160 m, SSB & QRP does not sound like a winning combination, does it?

Well, I will certainly not go for it again. It was quite painful and I swore like a trooper several times not getting people’s attention. 🙁 Uwe, DL3BQA, told me on Saturday about the current German QRP record and asked if I might not want to go for it. Initially I did not want to, it should be just a leisurely participation with a few QSOs here and there. But seeing it really getting in reach provided some additional motivation so I put in a few extra hours.

Condx were not favourable for DX. Besides my QRP signal not reaching very far (most of the QSOs were in a 1.000 km circle) I did not even hear much DX. Two UA9’s Saturday evening (no contacts) and only two U.S. stations heard Sunday morning, both just above the noise so did not even call. But then I stumbled across a very loud HK1T who came right back to my first call. Wow, almost 10.000 km, SSB QRP on 160 m, unbelievable! Being so impressed I started the audio recorder to at least record him afterwards.

HK1T with a real 59 signal on 160 m:

If you’re asking what about the QRP record – yes, I made it, even with a good margin. 🙂 Let’s see what the result is good for …

                    CQ 160-Meter Contest, SSB

Call: DH8BQA

Class: Single Op QRP
QTH: JO73ce
Operating Time (hrs): 15

Summary:
Total:  QSOs = 272    Countries = 41    Total Score = 46,822

Club:
Bavarian Contest Club

Comments:
Elecraft K3, 5 W + full size Lazy Loop @ 18 m

Next contest for me will be WPX-SSB at the end of March. Will be back in JO73 then with a week of holidays afterwards to do some antenna work with the guys …