CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW
Call: K0MD
Operator(s): K0MD
Station: K0MD
Class: SOAB(A) HP
QTH: MN
Operating Time (hrs): 30
Radios: SO2R
Summary:
Band QSOs Zones Countries
------------------------------
160: 17 7 11
80: 60 17 44
40: 163 29 79
20: 395 33 109
15: 125 24 69
10: 40 13 24
------------------------------
Total: 800 123 336 Total Score = 923,967
Club: Minnesota Wireless Assn
Comments:
First time operating So2R in a major contest.
Rigs: Icom 78007600
Antennas: Force 12 arrays (all bands) - see qrz description under my call
Amplifiers: Acom 2000a and Expert 1.3
Tough from the Upper Midwest!
I hoped to test my new stacks and antenna array fully in the contest.
Propagation did not cooperate fully! I am delighted with my totals given how
challenging conditions were from this latitude.
I am calling this the contest that "almost was" as I missed my goals
by a razor thin margin. I wanted to work 100 DXCC entities on 20 - done! I
wanted 80 DXCC entities on 40 - worked 79! I wanted to work 70 DXCC entities on
15 - worked 69! I wanted to work 30 DXCC entities on 10 - worked 24! Finally, I
scaled down my score expectations and hoped to hit 1 million - missed it by
7.4%! For those who remember the old "Get Smart" tv series, I missed
it by "this much, boss!"
Positives:
1. The rigs worked fabulously well and were quiet - I love that about Icom NR.
2. The amplifiers worked seamlessly with the rigs.
3. SO2R was very enjoyable and I am learning more daily with it.
4. Station ergonomics were ok, but the shack is getting a make over after
Christmas for improvements for SO2R.
5. Yagi 3 stack for the 10-20 bands were invaluable - I noticed that I waited
shorter times in the pile ups. The DX Engineering stack switch for 3 yagis is
amazing with endless options for using different antennas in and out of phase.
6. The Yagi 2 stack on 40 was also a work horse. I knew it was good when I beat
out W0AIH in a pile up near the end of the contest for a 4X4 station!
7. The low bands were weak Friday night but good Saturday night. This fits one
rule of Frank Donovan from Contest U - he says show up both nights because they
will be different.
8. Propagation was similar to CQ WW SSB in October four weeks ago - proving
Frank Donovan's second rule from Contest U correct: You can predict the
propagation from how conditions were four weeks prior to the contest.
Challenges:
1. I don't think most US hams read the contest rules - we get zero points for
working each other yet I was called frequently during run times from hams. One
AF4 jammed me for a minute or two after I continued CQing and ignored the call.
As I see it, there is only a downside to working US stations - get the call
wrong and you lose two additional QSO's that are worth points for doing someone
a favor for a zone multiplier or a DXCC total? I guess US and Zone 4 were rare
as hen's teeth during this contest as I had lots of calls for those.
2. Pile up behavior. I continue to be amazed at operators who call incessantly
when the DX station is transmitting. I am sure I have done that as well but I
do listen for his/her signals before sending my call again or repeatedly.
Also, I am amazed at how some stations like to tune on frequency or send 30
seconds of dits to test their SWR.
The contest was enjoyable despite the propagation. I will not take for granted
again the great propagation we had a few years ago! I love this contest -
combining my favorite weekend holiday with great turkey, dressing, relish, pie
and CW!
I also was amazed again at how we can use the laws of Physics to communicate
between our own homes to distant lands in the middle of the night - God
designed a great universe for us to enjoy!
Thank you for all of the QSO's and especially for those who sent my name with
our QSO! I also enjoyed my run of JA stations the last hour of the contest on
20 - Japan has some of the best operators in the world: polite, orderly and
fast!
See you in the ARRL DX contest weekends God willing and Best Christmas wishes
to all.
Scott, K0MD
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
______________________________________________
3830 mailing list
3830@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/3830
|