2011 CQWW DX CW | Pt. 2

I remember when award record keeping was analog that is everything accomplished on pen and paper. However, as wireless radio changed the world, it follows that the Internet continues to accomplish the same. Subsequently, digital databases now organize and maintain my efforts at achieving various awards.

An outcome of last weekend in the SL driver's seat equaled the half way point toward 100 confirmed on 10 meters. I'm taking advantage of the upward climb in sunspot activity focusing mainly on the high bands. It's an opportunity to increase numbers and get as close to 5B DXCC prior to the expected descent in sunspot activity.

I have not achieved DXCC first one hundred confirmed since entering our hobby back in 1979. Today, digital databases make record keeping a little easier, of course, there are always problems. Overall, I'm satisfied with each digital database that maintains a record of my activity.

Stay thirsty for DX my friends!

2011 CQWW DX CW | Pt. 1

Good evening from the shackadelic zone where listening to the ionosphere is fun even when there are no signals on the high bands. I bet, most are logging stations on the Top Band this evening, best results to everyone during the ARRL 160 Meter event!

Highlights
I enjoyed a stellar 2011 CQWW DX CW weekend operating Single Operator, Single Band (SOSB), High Power (HP) into a 5L monobander at 60 feet. Radio frequency wind was most excellent with an ideal breeze blowing out of Japan in addition Asia and Oceania, on Friday and Saturday night.

Many thanks to all the fine business JA-operators!

In contrast, satisfactory conditions out of Europe, with a strong breeze on Saturday morning with tepid wind currents on Sunday morning. Potentially, an attribute of the East Coast radio frequency wall that West Coast operators confront each grayline morning. My Sunday rate counter nudged somewhat but it wasn't like the high rate-per-minute (RPM) on Saturday morning.

I was thrilled beyond measure as African signals blew like a gale force wind into SL's 5L monobander then into my cans. Signals off this continent were loud and a pleasure to copy. I logged my first ever South African station during World Wide CW weekend. It was a big stoke.

Lastly, I enjoyed logging signals out of South America and Central America as I was reminded of an offshore breeze that smooth out waves creating glassy ocean conditions. The bulk of countries logged were signals south of the equator. A big shout out to all Brazilian RadioSport operators for a job well done! 

Learning Curve
Operating 10m SOSB HP was an exceptional learning experience because I followed the grayline with SL's monobander. Signals erupted at the leading edge of the terminator as I swung the antenna from 30 degrees North to 320 degrees West. I'm looking forward to learning more about propagation by operating SOSB for at least one RadioSport season.

Contest on!