I was enjoying operating the ARRL SSB DX Contest this weekend, but when I fired up the rig this morning, 20 meters was completely wiped out by RFI.? Luckily, the noise level was lower on 15 and 10 meters, and I was able to make some contacts.? This also happened during the CW contest a couple weeks ago.

RG&E still has not contacted me, and it has been just about 2 months, so I have drafted a letter and will be sending it via registered mail on Monday.? I also filed a complaint with the FCC, which I probably should have done immediately.

I did get to test out my ultrasonic detector a bit today.? It had been so cold, snowy and windy on the days it was present, that I hadn't been able to try it out.? Today was cold and windy, and it started to snow just as I went out, but confirmed the pole that the noise was emanating from.? I was not able to pinpoint the faulty hardware, which I guess is sometimes possible.? It was definitely at the top of the pole, likely either a lightning arrestor or insulator.

It's 8PM and 10 and 15 are dying, and 20 meters is unusable for me, so I will have to try 40 and 80 tonight, though my 80 meter EFHW has been compromised somewhat by this winter's winds.

This contest is a little weird, as DX stations can only work USA and Canada, so it tends to be mostly Europe, South America and the Carribean, but 10 meters should be hopping tomorrow AM if you want to work a lot of DX.? The exchange is signal report and state for US, and signal report and power for DX stations.? Easy exchange!

Be radio-active!