[MiQP-Mail] W8ZZ/m

[Ron Majewski]

W8ZZ/m
W8RU (Ron), KC8VGG (Bill)

Counties activated: VANB, CASS, ALLE
                            (2 QSOs in STJO and KZOO while moving)

Total SSB QSOs: 126 
        CW  QSOs:  65


There was no time to prepare during the week so everything was left until 
Saturday morning.  We paid for that by having to work through problems at the 
last minute.

40m was our best band, and 20m was better this year than in past years.  80m 
from ALLE after dark was so-so.

The cold weather, wind, rain, and snow (!) really slowed down setup and 
break-down work at each site.  This year we used local high school parking lots 
and that was great.  They're easy to find on the satellite photos and no one 
bothered us.  


We were surprised at how many stations would not work us because their software 
said we were a dupe.  One station claimed we had a QSO 2 hours before we 
arrived in that county and would not work us even after an explanation.  Ah 
well.   


The Europeans were loud on 20m and that was fun.  I was glad to give Uli 
(DL2HBX) a few QSOs, as well as many others.

We've seen the full spectrum of MiQP weather now: 70deg and sunny to 33deg and 
snow. 

As always, we uncovered shortfalls in our procedures and hope to address them 
next time.

Thanks and 73,

Ron (W8RU).