Results EQP 2005 for XE2/NM6E

[Javier Campos-3]

Elecraft QSO PARTY

Country                     : Mexico
Call Used                   : XE2/NM6E
Elecraft Rig Serial Number  : 4409
Rig Type                    : K2
BAND      CW      PH    RY
===========================
160       0       0       0  
80        0       0       0  
40        2       0       0
20       13       6       0
15        2       0       0
10        0       0       0

Claimed Score    : 69 pts
Total Elecrat Rigs worked  K2=14
                           K1=1


Having been sent, again, on a 2 week business trip to
Mexico City and Monterrey, N.L. Mexico, I brought
along my K2/QRP rig.

I had already renwed my $95 USD Mexican Reciprocal
license from the CoFeTel (Comission Federal de
Telecommunicaciones=Mexican FCC) through a rather
painless, now that I know the system, process back in
February while on a previous business trip. I can take
anyone thru through the process if any one wishes off
the reflector. I have applied/renewed various times in
the last year and a half.

I packed up my regular check-in bag with the Super
Antenna MP-1, 10 feet of coax and A&A Engineering QRP
Smart Charger (to charge the K2 internal battery) and
use the charger as a supplement (for current) to the
K2.  

The Smart Charger was special made to have a
110Vac/220Vac switchable to output either 1/4amp or
1Amp (used during high transmit times on the K2 and
not kill the K2 built in battery.

No major issues going thru SFO international terminal,
I just had to take the K2 out of the roll along (afer
xrays) and then they did an explosives swipe test. And
off I went to board my direct flight to Mexico City.

After landing in Mexico City, luck was on my side, and
I got a "green light" (I didn't declare anything on
the customs form) and rolled my luggage on through the
check point to the rental car counter.

I was fortunate enough to have to fly to Monterrey on
Wednesday 3/9 for meetings, a training class I gave on
Thursday and on Friday I conducted site inspections.

The hotel I stayed at, Presidente Intercontinental
Hotel in Monterrey, happens to have end rooms with
Balcony's that just happen to have GROUND CABLES
passing along the flower beds! I was placed on the 9th
floor of a 10 floor hotel.

I managed to attach my portable Super Antenna MP-1
(manual screw driver type of Antenna) to the hotel
ground system along with my ground radials fo rthe
antenna.

I was able to work 80m into Cuba the night before the
contest with only 5 watts and managed contact ons
15-80 during my 4 day stay iwth 5 watts

I was surprized at how quiet the bands were for the
QSO party on 40m.

I had fun with my 5 watts and the hotel balcony worked
like a charm. Many folks were suprize to hear my
"strong signal" and common reports of 5x7, 5x9 on
peaks were frequently given to me.

CW was fine but I had issues with my Vibroplex Code
Warrior, it kept slidding off of the plastic patio
table as the temps on Saturday were about 85 degrees
and I couldn't see my laptop screen in the bright
daylight.

I had to rig up a make shift "patio umbrella" with the
hotel room garbage can and cover my head with a shower
towel and part of the  laptop to see what I was
typing. I felt like it was a mini-field day for me!  I
should have brought a longer peice of coax to operate
from within the hotel room and not on the balcony with
a 10ft coax.

I was spotting myself on the cluster to make myself
known but my rate never really picked up. It was
averaging about 7-10 Q's per hour.  I mixed things up
and also operated a bit with the Oklahoma QSO Party to
keep entertained during the slow down.

Overall, I must haved made about 250 Q's in my 4 days
with work being my primary focus etc on the trip.

Operating in Mexico strictly states a foreigner can't
compete in DX contests, luckily we have QSO Parties
that are not DX contests!

Over all I had a good time and plan on operating more
from Mexico City and other cities as my work expands
with the never ending desire for "Triple Play
Services" (Voice, Broadcast Video and Internet over
your phone lines)to residential customers.

I am planning on "tricking it out" my K2 QRP to a
K2/100 in the immediate future as the other cities
that are on the expansion list merit me enjoying some
R&R from work and operating from! Cities such as
Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Cancun! etc.

Javier XE2/NM6E





Javier NM6E
K2 #4409
ARCI #11908
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