RTTY Roundup 2016

We Alaskans appear to whine about extremely fickle propagation in virtually every contest.  "I had no idea" is the usual response when a guest op from mid-latitudes completes an hour or a weekend at the operating console under the aurora. They almost invariably come up here thinking they can teach us "bush people" rubes a thing or two about contesting. The visitors go back home shaking their heads. Ham radio is hard in the Far North.

This year's RU played out with some decent results, all things considered.  With radio blackouts, geomagnetic storms, and green lights overhead, this game proved to be more tactical than anything else.  That is, if a band or operating technique started to gain traction, Mother Nature soon concocted another obstacle to force a change.  Just to survive the weekend in the chair of frustration was a major accomplishment.  That said, there were a handful of good (and sometimes strange), brief openings across HF.  At least I didn't get skunked on any band.

Band     QSOs     Pts  Sec   DXC

   3.5       8       8    0    0

     7      21      21    1    1

    14     163     163   10   18

    21     355     355   37    9

    28      14      14    2    3

 Total     561     561

 Score: 45,441  (Op: N1TX Class: SOHP)

Special mention goes to N7XCZ, who provided a little insight into his excitement about Star Wars. Thanks for the chuckle!