The remodeled station performed well today during the ARRL SSB 2018 Contest. The station got a thorough high power workout today on 15, 20, and 40 meters. The results were very exciting to say the least!
There were a few tuner training issues, but the AT-AUTO’s caught up on the fly, after that, it was smooth sailing everywhere I went. As usual, I was able to work everyone I could hear. In spite of my compromise 40m antenna, I was able to work all the Hawaiian contesters along with KL7RA on 40.
The only glitch was the HF rotor azimuth indicator stopped working! Of all times for a rotor to fail! Actually the rotor still turns AOK, but the control box no longer indicates its position. If I’m really lucky, I’ll find pin 2 is not making contact at the back of the controller. Worst case: the position potentiometer in the rotor will have to be repaired or replaced. Not a big deal for now. The rotor in question has been in service for 14 years. So I worked this ARRL SSB 2018 Contest with the antenna fixed at 90 degrees.
![ARRL SSB 2018 Contest Battle Station!](http://k6hr.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Rack-Labels.jpg)
Objective: To encourage W/VE stations to expand knowledge of DX propagation on the HF and MF bands, improve operating skills, and improve station capability by creating a competition in which DX stations may only contact W/VE stations.
W/VE amateurs: Work as many DX stations in as many DXCC entities as possible on the 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 meter bands.
DX stations: Work as many W/VE stations in as many of the 48 contiguous states and provinces as possible.
Have you been here yet? Click through the link to learn more about the contest station.