I enjoyed the 2023 edition of the ARRL September VHF Contest. I set a personal record for the number of QSOs and the total score for what is typically a very low activity contest in North Texas. In fact, I’m reasonably sure this is the VHF contest, among many, that inspired me to get on the road as a rover. Well, that phase has come and gone. Here’s how I did from home for this contest.

K5ND Station Preparation

There was not much in the way of preparation. I used the same gear and antennas I’ve been running for some time. However, I did add a second Airspy SDR dedicated to 2 meters. That way, I can monitor both 6 and 2 at the same time, running the IC-7100 and IC-9100, respectively, as transmitters. That worked well.

I’ve also started using WSJT-X Improved 2.7.0-rc2. It mimics some of the features of JTDX and provides contest mode operation. It worked well before and during the contest. However, since I typically use RRR rather than RR73, I’d like it to send a final 73 automatically. Instead, you have to send it manually.

I did run into a snag getting JT-Alert to connect to N3FJP’s VHF Contest Logger. I eventually found the correct API settings on JT-Alert. Their help files provide lots of insight. I’m just slow to pick it up sometimes.

In addition, the prior week, I implemented WT0DX’s JT-Alert “User Alert” text message system. It fires a text message whenever a new grid or DXCC is spotted. I proved that it can be very effective at alerting you to what’s happening on screen. I have it set for providing a voice message on the computer – “new grid” – and the text to my phone and computer. I didn’t miss a thing during the contest.

K5ND Station Operation

From the image below, from the Contest Scores Online system, I had steady activity levels from the Saturday opening at 1 PM local until 10 PM local. At that time, I hit the sack. I got up at 5 AM local but didn’t find much activity until about 7 AM. I tried some meteor scatter. But didn’t find any signals, even with coordination on Ping Jockey.

Throughout the rest of Sunday, I had a few QSOs here and there. The big opening happened around 7 PM local through about 9 PM—lots of stations from the Midwest and East Coast. I managed to get most of them into the logbook. At one point, I even gave up on my RRR sending and started using RR73.

As I mentioned earlier, the steady activity and the high activity burst at the end resulted in a personal best in this contest.

6 meters, 153 QSOs, 91 grids

2 meters, 28 QSOs, 15 grids

Total Score 18,656

I had a few dupes in the mix, all deducted from the score. For a few, I’m sure we must not have completed the FT8 QSO, and they were making sure. For a couple, they either worked me again right away or caught me the next day. No problem. I’m glad we got it in the log.

The Contest Online Scoreboard was again very helpful in keeping me posted about competitor’s activities. Next time, I need to monitor N3FJP’s Ham Dash as well.

I hope you had a great contest. I appreciate the QSOs you may have provided. Good luck in the next contest.