The thrill of operating in the '07 ARRL International DX CW contest summed into the following descriptors - perseverance, focus, and determination. Contesting at 25-watts into a random wire tested KA3DRR's operating skills to the maximum. The technique of search and pounce (SP) dominated. Retrospectively, propagation did not favor using CQ as a -gain Q method instead this contester utilized the -give Q (Frankford Radio Club, 2003).
The single-operator all-band (SOAB) low-power contester can mindfully frame their contest Q as -give and -gain. The station design of KA3DRR (i.e. FT100 and random wire antenna) and propagation facilitated the -give Q mind set. I gained satisfaction knowing that the KA3DRR contest -Q increased the valid scores of such stations as KH6NF, V31TP, KH7X, P49V, and VP8/LZ1UQ to mention a few. Literally, I shouted "YES!" from the chair as VP8/LZ1UQ (Falkland Islands) went into the AE6Y contest logger.
The SP skill paid handsomely (Frankford Radio Club, 2003).
KA3DRR did not succeed on the first three attempts while calling VP8/LZ1UQ. I maintained a three-call limit before punching the quick memory bank (QMB). KA3DRR scanned 20-meters using the auto scan function on the Yaesu FT100 searching for new multipliers. I returned to the QMB frequency and called again. Propagation and operators synergized. I gained a valuable mult while giving a contest -Q. Inversely, the operator on the receiving end increased their score.
This is the nature of the -give and -gain equation.
The breakdown -
Band (Raw QSOs) Valid QSOs (QSO Pts) Pts/Q (Countries)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
10 -- -- -- ---- --
15 (27) 27 (81) 3.00 (13)
20 (41) 41 (123) 3.00 (24)
40 (7) 7 (21) 3.00 (4)
80 (1) 1 (3) 3.00 (1)
160 -- -- -- ---- --
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals (76) 76 (228) 3.00 (42)
Final Score = 9,576 Operating Time = 4:51 (off times shown in log)
KA3DRR narrowly missed the ARRL 100-Q pin award and the 10k point mark. I chose an earlier off-time on Saturday night rather than operating 40, 80, and 160 into late evening. The result is evident perhaps missing valuable mults for the KA3DRR contest log. Although, two hours before sunrise KA3DRR logged KH6LC on 80-meters.
The 80-meter contact with KH6LC reminded me of my first contact with a KH6 station as a novice back in the late 70s. My station then was a crystal controlled Heathkit DX60 and Heathkit HR10 receiver into a dipole. That early summer morning memory remains forever vivid.
Comparitively, Saturday rated four-star adrenaline as 15 and 20-meters erupted. Asia, North America, and South America pushed the Yaesu blue s-meter. I felt the contester rush as the Bencher paddles responded to my excitement. KA3DRR worked 43 stations on Saturday versus 33 on Sunday, a near 21% decrease. My results do not reflect perseverance hours in the chair when -Q production fell to zero.
Sunday afternoon surprised KA3DRR when 20-meters simultaneously opened to Asia and North America. The sought after JA point -Q's materialized however even the kilowatt driven JA's averaged s3 or less on the long wire. However VP2E moved the blue s-meter to a comfortable s8 during the opening.
Best Operator goes to HK1/K8DD who operated seamless. I enjoyed listening to the style and technique of this operator.
Best Moment goes to VP8/LZ1UQ - what a thrill scoring this one for the contest log!
KA3DRR wants to thank all the operators who listened and logged my 25-watt signal. The first photograph was taken two-hours after sunrise on Sunday morning facing southwest. The second photograph captures the steep rising hills to the north.
I'm looking forward to further improving KA3DRR for both the Russian DX and CQ WPX contests.
73s & C U in the log!
Reference(s):
Frankford Radio Club, (2003). Handbook - low profile contesting Retrieved on February 21, 2007 from http://www.gofrc.org/handbook-lowprofilecontesting.shtml
