2007 CQ World Wide DX CW | Ideas To Maximize RadioSport Fun

The following CQ Contest Hall of Famers are in my log --

• Ken, N6RO
• Tree, N6TR
• Bill, W4AN

Like Worked All States (WAS) and the DX Century Club (DXCC) I'm pursuing Work Hall of Famers as an operating goal. This weekend I'm passing on Sweepstakes SSB and preparing for CQ World Wide CW scheduled for next weekend. My RadioSport focus is CW first then develop my SSB skill set in the future.

Certain challenges are presented as a low-power, low-profile station (Level-3) on the west coast. However it is an excellent opportunity to further hone my listening skill, search and pounce (SP) skill, practice my CW proficiency, and learn band propagation in relationship to maximum usable frequency.

CQ World Wide CW is a listening contest for a station like KA3DRR (Level-3). The next step is to create achievable goals while maximizing RadioSport fun in the operating chair.

For example, I'm working on a list of CQ World Wide CW Record Holders in all classes from last year. One goal is to work as many Record Holders as possible who are operating this year. There will be plenty of time to cross-reference my list while the FT100 scans respective bands. I'm not into maintaining any rate in a DX contest. Staying awake in the wee hours of the morning is important.

Additionally, what about those RadioSport contesters at radio-sport dot net who are on the Single Op World Standings List? They too will join the SP grid. Another idea is work as many DXpeditions as well.

Ideas to Maximize Your RadioSport Fun in the Operating Chair.

• Work Record Holders in all classes from the previous year.
• Work Single Op World Standings contesters at radio-sport dot net.
• Work as many DXpeditions as possible and/or clean sweep DXpeditions.
• Add 5 new countries for DXCC.
• Add 5 new zones for Worked All Zones (WAZ).
• Add 5 new prefixes.

My goals give focus, direction, and meaning to the hours spent in the operating chair. This is a listening contest for me. I want to keep myself in the chair while maximizing RadioSport fun.

Contest on.

Adventure Now -- Ben Saunders

My latest addition to the on-going series of Adventure Now postings is Ben Saunders. I interacted with him during his Serco TransArctic Expedition in 2004. Ben incorporated satellite technology into his expedition like many modern explorers. I was surprised when he sent 'Hello' and 'Thank You' text message left on his Serco TransArctic Expedition website from his ever changing location. He is remarkable and his accomplishments include --

• The Polar Orchid Challenge (2001).
• The Arbor North Pole Expedition (2003).
• The Serco TransArctic Expedition (2004).

You will discover amazing photographs and well-written articles. Ben Saunders is currently preparing for a solo, foot-powered, longest unsupported expedition to the South Pole. Read about Ben Saunders as he ramps up for South in late 2008. Go Ben!

Reference:

Ben Saunders High Attitude:Low Lassitude Retrieved on November 14, 2007 from http://www.bensaunders.com/.

CQ Magazine Hall of Fame

I listened to Dan Patrick this afternoon while the sun roared. He is amplitude modulation cool. This afternoon he discussed marquee players, coaches, and Hall of Famers and their impact on sports. Did you know that RadioSport has its own Hall of Fame?

I learned about CQ Contest Hall of Fame shortly after re-joining our contest community. Admittedly, I look toward sports as one source of inspiration and motivation. Do you follow a particular team? Have a favorite player? Or even collect sport's memorabilia? I have a sport's card collection hibernating in storage. One day I'll open my binders with football, baseball, and hockey cards and take a drive down memory lane.

Currently, 48 contesters populate the CQ Contest Hall of Fame and the first inductee was Buzz, K2GL. He was inducted in 1986. The last and most current inductee was Bill, W4AN in May of 2006. I'm into legends and enjoy the storyline that weaves itself through history. I asked the question in an earlier posting, "Who are the legends of RadioSport?"

Short-List of 21st Century CQ Contest Hall of Fame Inductees.

• Tree, N6TR inducted May 2000.
• Walter, DJ6QT inducted May 2000.
• Algis, LY2NK inducted May 2001.
• Ron, N3RS inducted May 2001.
• Leif, OZ1LO inducted May 2002.
• Ken, N6RO inducted May 2003.
• Dan, K1TO inducted May 2003.
• Steve, N8BJQ inducted May 2004.
• Trey, N5KO inducted May 2004.
• Rusty, W6OAT inducted May 2005.
• Jeff, K1ZM inducted May 2005.
• Tim, K3LR inducted May 2005.
• Bill, W4AN inducted May 2006.

If you are new to RadioSport contesting the CQ Contest Hall of Fame is much like stopping in Canton or elsewhere and listening to the echoes of history or living history in real-time.

I'm interested in the legends of RadioSport because of the sense of grounding it gives me. There is an operating chair for all of us in RadioSport and its history helps me find that chair. RadioSport legends are a good source for inspiration and motivation as well. Take a look and click a few pages.

Now lets see whose in my log? Any Hall of Famers in yours?

Contest on.

Reference:

CQ Contest Hall of Fame Retrieved on November 13, 2007 from http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/CQ%20Contest%20Hall%20of%20Fame_files/frame.htm.

The CQ Contest Hall of Fame History and Nominating Procedure Retrieved on November 13, 2007 from http://www.cqww.com/hof-history.html.

Legends of RadioSport Contesting

I'm thinking about legends of RadioSport. This weekend, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Sweepstakes single-sideband (SSB) contest kicks off followed by, CQ World Wide CW next weekend. Both contests are longstanding traditions among others within our RadioSport contesting community.

I grabbed several copies of the National Contest Journal (NCJ) to read while Bill, N6ZFO operated during the ARRL Sweepstakes CW contest. One issue struck a chord at a deep level. The cover was an aerial photograph of W2PV's antenna farm along with K3UA whose operating intensity exemplifies the essence of RadioSport contesting.

The title of the NCJ article is, To Win the World From Schenectady: The 25th Anniversary of the Last W2PV Contest Operation. The NCJ story is one of a legendary man and station.

I felt inspired after reading about W2PV and wondered who the legendary stations are today? Superstations are the center of the RadioSport universe in my estimation. They represent a component of the overall farm system for tomorrow's best contesters while pushing the envelope in addition to others, of Ham Radio technology. Superstations symbolically represent the apex of the RadioSport competition pyramid as multi-multi operations.

The W2PV 25th Anniversary article struck me that is, a contester did not immediately jump into the operating chair. One earned their way. I can imagine the intense competition such a system generated.

At the same time, the NCJ article provoked a look at my station and what is achieveable as a contester. Limits are just limits. On the other hand, RadioSport contesting presents limitless opportunity to achieve the unachievable. Go for it must be the drum beat of our sport.

If there is an opportunity to read, To Win the World From Schenectady: The 25th Anniversary of the Last W2PV Contest Operation, cease the moment to learn more about a legend.

Reference:

National Contest Journal (2006, Nov/Dec). To Win the World From Schenectady: The 25th Anniversary of the Last W2PV Contest Operation. Vol (34).

Veterans Day

My deepest appreciation and gratitude to all who served our Republic. My heartfelt thank you to those who are serving in distant lands far from the shores of our Nation right now. May the bell of Liberty ring through the ages for all to enjoy Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

• USAF, Retired (1982 - 2002)
• Desert Storm Veteran (1990-1991)

Single Op World Standings @ radio-sport dot net

Andy, AE6Y is in a three-way tie for 20th position in the Single Operator World Standings.

Go Andy!

Reference:

Single Op World Standings Retrieved on November 11, 2007 from http://www.radio-sport.net/.

Last Frontier Contest Club -- KL8C

Rick, K6VVA successfully operated KL8C during Sweepstakes CW 2007. Check out his fantastic photographs especially noteworthy if one is considering an expedition.

Reference:

KL8C, The Last Frontier Contest Club Retrieved on November 11, 2007 from http://www.k6vva.com/kl8c/.