Modus operandi: Starting a call at the lower end of the frequency range and using SO2V to scan the band is proving to be the right approach. I start at 3703 kHz because the lower frequencies are already occupied and there are stations higher up as well. Ivan OM0AD can take credit for the first contact. The second contact is also to the east: Stano OM8HG:
OK1UVU is tuned in a little higher, so I take advantage of a lull when no one is calling and log him. Among the first callers is Aleš OK1DQP, with whom I’ve made over 150 contacts over the years of contesting. Aleš is a skilled operator and a pleasure to work with:
After 15 minutes, I start making more use of SO2V, and in between calls, my log grows as follows:
- OM5LD on VFO A
- OK2NO on VFO B
- OK1UKY on VFO A
- OM6TX on VFO B
- OM7KW on VFO A
- OM5KP on VFO A
- OM9OT on VFO A
- OK2WYK on VFO B
- OM3CQF on VFO A
- OM3CDN on VFO B
- …
It’s clear that if I had been calling continuously on VFO A, the number of contacts would have been lower. After 40 minutes, however, I lose the frequency, but I already have over 50 contacts in my log. No problem—I switch bands and make another contact with Slavo OM0AS:
Since I find a gap at 3715 kHz, I try calling there as well in the final minutes. OM3KXR is calling:
It takes me quite a while to get through to OK2PJW, who’s a bit higher up. I notice that Paľo OM5CM, whom I haven’t worked yet, was calling him. I see that he tuned in right away to OK2PJW, and when I finally get through after a few attempts, I try calling OM5CM as well. At the end, I add Števo OM5AA. The number of contacts stops at 68, which is a very high number for QRP. It’s now been confirmed that all the recorded contacts were correct.