01/27/2006 | K3TUF This was my fourth Jan VHF SS and the score keeps getting better and I keep learning lessons. I had a great time in spite of the flat conditions. The only problem was an issue on 2m that caused the preamp to blow three times causing some unexpected bench time replacing the GaAsFET's until I found a way to keep it from happening thanks to a tech support call to W2PED.
I used limited WSJT skeds, only 3, and missed some key grids nearby: FN01 and FM07. That is painful but what can you do?
Unlike times past, the equipment (save the preamp) was working as well at the end as it was when I began. That's a tribute to solid engineering council from N3NGE, KB3XG, W2PED and other packrat mentors.
Now it's on to the next station improvement and jotting down the lessons learned to hopefully improve the score next time.
All in all this has progressed to a most enjoyable sport, I had a great time.
73,
Phil K3TUF FN10we -- K3TUF