06/03/2006 | TI1C (W5AJ, op) After years of praying for a chance to see the TI1C contest station the event turned into an operation during the Premier SSB DX Contest. This station is by far the strongest low band station in NA & perhaps the world.

Host to the event was TI2CF Carlos who went far and above any expectations to insure the antenna were covered. For example 20 meters sported a six element at 170 feet and Carlos added a 3 element on another tower at 90 feet with new coax ran directly into the shack.

The contest conditions were typical for a rain forest looking at the Gulf - clouds or clouds with rain. Carlos allowed me to play with the different antennas although now that I have experience with the station I understand which antenna works best for Stateside.

An interesting event of the weekend was a sporadic opening on ten meters about 1430 on Saturday morning. As I got up for a break I took a quick look at ten meters and on hitting the ten meter button there was W3LPL at 20 over calling CQ!! Worked LPL and moved and started the CQ machine. The event ended 15 minutes later and the band was quiet. Ten provided a strong opening from 2110Z till 2250Z Saturday.

Congratulations to Martti at V31BH who stayed on 20 meters several hours longer each morning and produced strong 20 meter QSO numbers. I hit 20 hard but those morning hours on 20 were key this year to running up the QSO total. I opened on 20 Friday night and got 110 minutes of action before the band went quiet. There were two TI1 Contest calls going on 20 with TI1R going 20 SB. It's nice to see the activity from TI.


I've posted a few pictures at
http://rwood90.clearwire.net/ti1c.htm

73 Robert and Best of DX -- W5AJ