NCCC Thursday Night Madness 2 of 2
I chose 40-meters as the kick-off band despite its s7 noise level. KA3DRR called CQ and no response followed. This is not unusual given the location of my transmitting signal. I'm calling it the RF Pit and 'any' QSO is a good QSO from the pit. KA3DRR again called CQ and the band remained quiet except for the noise. I searched and pounced (SP) within .040 and .045 which appears to be an operating pattern for the 1x2s. A one by two callsign is 1-letter in the prefix (e.g. K) and 2-letters in the suffix (e.g. RR). Ten valuable minutes fell from the contest clock without any production on 40-meters.
KA3DRR switched to 80-meters and the noise continued. I practiced the strategy of calling CQ three times and SP. I tuned between .040 and .045 listening for the Thursday Night Madness characteristic call. Still, the band remained silent other than noise and, sweat formed between my thumb and index finger. I wanted one or more QSOs for the submission log while the contest clock kept ticking away.
Twenty minutes off the clock and zero QSO for the submission log. I switched bands and re-tuned the antenna tuner on 40-meters using my shortcut card. This time the 1x2s and 1x3s buzzed between .040 and .042. KA3DRR called one station a little off frequency. The operator responded and returned my call. Yes! I scored at least a submission point for the 3830 reflector and the NCCC Ladder Competition grid!
KA3DRR needed two more contacts to break a personal NCCC sprint record. Ten minutes remained for the sprinters and I jumped back to 80-meters looking for one or more QSOs. The same pattern of activity repeated itself between .040 and .042. KA3DRR listened and called however the RF pit presented an extra challenge this evening.
Determined, I called CQ at .043 with two minutes remaining in the sprint and tie a personal record. The clock ticked and my paddles hummed but the RF pit refused to give up another QSO.
Results
Band Raw QSOs Valid QSOs QSO Pts Pts/Q Mults
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20 -- -- -- ---- --
40 1 1 1 1.00 1
80 -- -- -- ---- --
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Totals 1 1 1 1.00 1
Final Score = 2
The first purpose of contesting is fun. I enjoy running the sprint for 30-minutes. Secondly, contesting is a sport involving both mind and body. One needs to be prepared for the challenge and conditioned to endure the chair. I like to think of the sprint as preparation for the marathon. One must practice, practice, and practice to run a marathon. I ran in the 15th running of the Los Angeles marathon and the San Diego Rock n Roll in 2000. One way to prepare for the marathons like ARRL International, CQ WW or CQ WPX is practice.
The NCCC Sprint is a stellar opportunity to learn from and improve one's operating techniques while identifying station improvements. The first purpose of contesting is fun and Thursday Night Madness is that, fun!
73s and hope to c u in the NCCC Sprint next Thursday.
