07/21/2005 | KU4UV This was my first attempt at operating in the IARU Contest. I used my brother's Icom 706 running 100 Watts into several dipole antennas in the attic of my apartment. It is hard for me to compete in any contest with this kind of setup, but I figured I'd give it a shot. I used N3FJP's logging software for the contest. I don't know what the conditions were like for others in the contest, but it seemed like they were fairly rough here in Kentucky. The fact that I don't have the best antenna system in the world probably is a factor too. I managed about 75 contacts, but hopefully I learned a little about the contest and maybe next year will be even better. Most of my contacts were on 15 and 20 meters due to my antenna restrictions and short height for the dipoles, but I did make a few on 40 as well. I tried to get on 80 meters using a Hamstick with a mag-mount on a piece of sheet metal on the patio of my apartment, but I couldn't get it to load up properly for operation. I didn't hear a whole of contesters on 40 or 80, but again, maybe just my setup. I never heard a peep on 10 meters. I worked K3OO on 40 meters late on Saturday evening, a callsign I recognized. Thanks to all who worked me and tried to copy my weak signal. I keep planning on operating from one of my family's farms for one of the contests some day. I would love to try a Hamstick mounted to the top of the tool shed or barn with it's all metal roof to see what kind of signal it would produce! 73, to all!

73,
KU4UV -- KU4UV