2012 ARRL RTTY Roundup

The ARRL RTTY Roundup is one of the biggest RTTY contests of the year. Participation in RTTY has been increasing for many years and, despite less than perfect conditions, the data segments of the bands were jammed with RTTY signals during the contest. On 15 meters, I worked stations as low as 21.072 MHz and as high as 21.134 MHz. On 20 meters, I worked stations as low as 14.067 MHz and as high as 14.141 MHz. I did not get a 40 meter antenna out as I was not able to operate on Saturday night and I only worked one station on 10 meters during the contest as I missed the peak and did not check the band until later on Sunday afternoon. My goal for this contest was to make 100 QSOs.

One other great thing about this contest is that the District of Columbia is a multiplier and DC stations are highly sought after. It's too bad I don't have a station where I can run effectively as I'm sure I could attract some good pileups. 

The contest started at 1800Z on Saturday and I started right away working P49X in Aruba at 1802Z. The first hour went very well as I worked 17 stations on 15 meters. I consider that a good rate running just five watts into a magnetic loop. Interesting stations worked during the first hour include 4U1WB, the World Bank Amateur Radio Club here in DC, FM5CD in Martinique, VE1OP in Nova Scotia, and HI3TEJ in the Dominican Republic. I ended up working 20 more stations on Saturday afternoon for a total of 37 before going QRT to head out Saturday night to meet some friends to watch the Detroit Lions playoff game.

I woke up just after 1300Z and continued to work 15 meters to grab several European mults, including DL5AAX in Germany, EI3GRB in Ireland, OL8M in the Czech Republic, UX0FF in Ukraine, RK3DXW in European Russia, LY1R in Lithuania, 9A5W in Croatia, IV3KVC in Italy, G4DBX in England, EA1DR in Spain, and GI4SJQ in Northern Ireland, which was DXCC #103 worked from this station. After 1500Z, all of the stations worked were Carribean, Central America, South America, and US/VE, mostly on 15m and 20m. I did go to 10 meters and worked XE2AUD for the Mexico mult at 1921Z. At 2330Z, a half hour before the contest ended, I went QRT after working TG9SM in Guatemala for one final mult. I ended up working 133 stations in 27 states/provinces and 26 countries, easily exceeding my goal for the contest.

Here's my score summary as posted to 3830:

ARRL RTTY Roundup

Call: N8HM
Operator(s): N8HM
Station: N8HM

Class: Single Op LP
QTH: Washington, DC
Operating Time (hrs): 11.5

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
   80:     
   40:     
   20:   47
   15:   85
   10:    1
------------
Total:  133  State/Prov = 27  Countries = 26  Total Score = 7,049

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

Lots of activity on the RTTY bands and conditions were decent. Very happy with
the QSO total, but I am a bit disappointed with the mult total. All contacts
made with 5 watts and an AlexLoop Walkham Portable Magnetic Loop on my
apartment balcony. It would be nice for RTTY contests to include a QRP
category. Thanks to the ops who took time to dig my weak signal out of the
noise.

Rig - Yaesu FT-817ND
Interface - Signalink USB
Logger - N1MM
Antenna - AlexLoop Walkham Portable Magnetic Loop

And the QSO Map: