DL8MBS Analysis Of Russian DX Contest

Chris, DL8MBS wrote an excellent article regarding RadioSport operating time, its relationship to power, and band conditions. His graphical analysis of the Russian DX Contest (RDXC) logs in addition to CQ World Wide DX logs suggested one's power level correlates with hours of operating time.

Analysis.
His analysis of 2007 RDXC data revealed an average operating time of 9.7 hours (n = 984) out of (n = 1006) or 66.9 percent operated no more than 12 hours out of 24 available hours. Additionally, only 6.4 percent of the total, invested 23 or 24 hours in this event.

Furthermore, his 2009 analysis of available operating data, supported his 2007 conclusion that is, 69 percent operated less than 14 hours subsequently; due to band conditions, high power categories invested greater operating time.

The Long Tail.
I was struck by the distribution of operating hours for the CQ World Wide DX franchise. Chris, DL8MBS discovered Morse code operators remain in the chair longer than phone counterparts. His analysis suggested 90.47 percent of phone operators operated less than 24 hours while 80.5 percent operated less than 18 hours.

The average phone operation was 11.3 hours contrasted against 14.5 hours for Morse code operators.

Conclusion.
Perhaps, the competitive RadioSport reality is, as one begins investing financial and material resources toward the Box then operating time is proportional. It goes up. Likewise, one's power level is an important factor when considering "how much" time to spend in the chair as well.

However, given Cycle 24 trends, low power operators may begin spending additional time in the chair?

My plan this weekend for the 2010 RDXC event will focus on high bands only. In effect, I want to spend about 12 hours in the operating chair, that's average. The question I'm asking, "Is average good enough?"

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

2010 Russian DX Contest "The Contender"

What counts in the realm of RadioSport when a contender enters the ionospheric arena to compete against established heavyweights like CQ World Wide and/or ARRL International DX?

Competition Is Healthy.
The ultimate measure is fun across all RadioSport levels and, at the end of the day, the number of logs submitted.

I imagine sponsors and contest committees are noting the rise of the Russian DX Contest from upstart to serious contender. The event scheduled for this weekend will certainly benefit from the sometimes staggering Cycle 24 trend. Likewise, one must read the rules and discover a fresh perspective in a sport that embraces technology to limited degrees.

Practice, Practice, Practice.
I decided this year because of the Russian DX Contest point structure, a modest station like mine can have a lot of fun;

• 10 points for logged Russian -Qs.
• 5 points for different continent.
• 3 points for different country on same continent.
• 2 points for one's country.
  

I attempted this event at the low edge of Cycle 24 and the numbers suggest different results this year. Let's have ham radio fun beneath the ionospheric arena, practice good sportsmanship, and test our station configurations while the contender takes on the heavyweights.

Contest on!