I decided to wait with My comments about the recent K1N Dxpedition to Navassau until I had time to reflect on my feelings. When I heard about this expedition I was excited to be chasing a new one and I surmised it should be easier than some other locations because of the proximity to the United States.I had many contacts to Caribbean stations and figured My biggest challenge would be the huge pile ups.If I waited till they died down a bit I felt assured of some success.
The pile ups did start off huge and only seemed to intensify as time went on.At the end of their allotted time I read they had about 150-160K total contacts. Ducie Island expedition (VP6DX) had totals around 170K and I managed contacts on several bands with them-using less of an antenna assortment than I have now.I think Ducie island is also a greater distance from My shack.
One unpleasant thing I noticed right off the bat was the amount of intentional interference. It was of gigantic proportions.I think maybe the chatter about cutting down on QRM happy Hams before using DQRM only made matters worse--almost a challenge.The Dx crew also because of the huge pile ups and their bandscope capabilities had very wide listening patterns. I think this might have made many unhappy customers who had Hams calling not only at 5 to 10 up but 10-30 up right where non dx chasing Hams wanted to talk. I understand the need for a wider than normal spread but -wow!! Maybe too much! I also think posting a leaderboard brings out bad behavior in too many overly competitive operators. How many bands and modes is enough??
I think the wide listening pattern caused Me the most headache. I don't have a band scope and I sometimes felt like I was running blind. I have a middling antenna setup and only run a 100w SSB so I would imagine My signal on a band scope is not as noticeable as some big gun signals. Talk power and clarity won't help Me in a pile up in this situation and I don't have the luxury of seeing where the last answered frequency was at. Is this operator moving up and down the band or snagging the band scopers who actually saw where the last contact was?? See My point? Its like running blind. Don't misunderstand Me-- I wish I had a band scope. Money is the deterrent at this point. Maybe as more are in use price will drop. I can only hope.
Needless to say even on the last ATNO day on Saturday when they were going to operate on 20m for only new calls, I didn't make a contact.Barely heard them on 20m and on 10m it was a zoo.I doubt I'll be around for the next activation of Navassau- maybe.just maybe!
One final point-- the K1N team did a great job under difficult conditions. They managed huge pile ups and last thru very hot weather conditions.I sat comfortable in My basement and had plenty of sleep.I maybe should have tried some late night lower band activity but hindsight is ---well you know :)
73--Tim
