VKVPA operated again from the same location as in the March round—below Štrbské Pleso, KN09AC. But this time, using a 4×5-element DK7ZB Yagi antenna and a Kenwood TS-2000 transceiver.
The weather in the Tatras was ideal: a relatively pleasant 12°C, sunny, and with a very light breeze. Snow remained only in the mountains; there was no trace of it on the parking area. Most visitors to the Tatras headed to other locations, and during the day, only a few passersby stopped to admire the view from this spot.
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TIP: Securing coaxial cables
We used ski straps to secure the coaxial cables and the combiner. I find this more convenient than using electrical tape, which also tends to tear at low temperatures.
Preparing for the contest
Jano OM0AJ (formerly OM0AAJ) lent a helping hand with the antenna setup. Due to limited space, anchoring the antennas was more challenging. One anchor was on the car’s roof rack, the other around the trunk of a young spruce tree. We set up the second antenna, an 8-element DK7ZB Yagi, on the other side of the car as usual due to space constraints. But we set it up for nothing, since I didn’t make a single contact on it—but I’m getting ahead of myself.
I brought three pieces of equipment: a Kenwood TR-751E, an R2CW, and a Kenwood TS-2000. The last transceiver was the main change, and I was eager to test it out.
VKVPA Progress
During my last operation from this location, I logged 30 contacts. I don’t mind starting a few minutes after the VKVPA begins. I quickly set the modulation on the TS-2000 and the power to 70W. That’s because I don’t have a 13.8V / 20A power supply. I have a power supply of about 15A, which is why I have that margin.
However, I left the rotator controller at home, so the antennas have to be rotated manually—the “jump out of the car, turn them by eye and based on the signal from the speaker” method. However, since the antennas have higher gain and I announced my activity in advance, the contacts are coming in relatively quickly. In the first hour, there are 29 of them.
The TS-2000 has lower sensitivity than other devices. Most signals are very weak (even though I have the internal preamplifier turned on). Even signals that sound weak “by ear” are often made on the first call.
This time, I also managed to make contacts with stations from eastern Slovakia: OM8ABC, OM0AB, OM8OM, OM8ARG, OM3WAK, OM8DD, and OM0XA. Rudo OM8ARG had an excellent signal.
In the second hour, I made 21 contacts. I’m not trying to focus on multipliers. I know that for most VKVPA contestants, KN09 is relatively rare, so I try to give it to as many interested stations as possible.
In the final hour, I only added 14 contacts, but with the help of the KST chat, I tried to find multipliers as well, such as HG1DRD (JN86), OE6END (JN77), 9A1W (JN75), HA5OO (JN97), HA4FB (JN96), and OK1KMP (JO70).
I ended up with 63 contacts. The average distance per contact is 233 kilometers. That means a relatively high point total—up to 255 points—with 19 multipliers: JN69, JN75, JN76, JN77, JN79, JN85, JN86, JN88, JN89, JN95, JN96, JN97, JN98, JN99, JO70, KN05, KN08, KN09, and KN17, amounts to 4,845 points. Most of them are Slovak stations (24), followed by Czech and Moravian stations (21). Hopefully, the main goal was achieved—to give them the KN09 multiplier. I heard a few more stations, but was unable to make contact.
Conclusion
The 12 dBd difference between the antenna and the 14.5 dBd array is significant. The number of contacts has more than doubled compared to the March round, and the number of locators is also higher. Moreover, by focusing on multipliers, it’s possible that the result could have been even better. Hopefully, someone will take up the torch and get KN09 on the VKVPA map on a regular basis.
