#cqww DX CW contest review

Event: CQWW DX CW 2018
Section: Single Operator 160m QRP assisted
Logger: N1MM+ / FLdigi / CWskimmer
Station: Icom IC-706 MK2G 4W (minimum power)
Antenna: Inverted-V (2x20m) apex 12m

Well, I've choosen one of the most difficult sections in the contest. 160m QRP with a too short and not so efficient antenna. But hey, I can tune it and first tests friday evening showed some spots from Germany on RBN. I've choosen this section for a reason....it's possible to make another "Netherlands Record". Fun to have a goal as I will never be able to compete with others in a CW contest. Actually I've tried 160m QRP a few years ago but after 1 hour calling with no one coming back to me I decided to do 80m or 160m low power then (can't remember). I set my goal to 25 QSOs at least but surprisingly I already made 30 QSOs at Saturday. So next goal was 50 and after a lot of effort I finally end the contest sunday evening with 52 QSOs. The thing I really have to take attention to should be a good CW keyer, I still use FLdigi to generate audio CW on USB. I'm already figuring out a simple keyer that works on my computer. Hope to have it ready before the 10m ARRL contest in 2 weeks. I didn't run too much with QRP, a few times just to see if I was spotted at the RBN. Actually did S&P 99% of the time. S&P for QRP contacts means you have to search for stations that are at least +60dB otherwise you will not be heard. It occured to me that there is nothing wrong with my receive I even received japanese stations. But I had the idea some really strong stations did have directional receive for DX. I name 9A1A, OG55W and OL1A for example, they were really strong here but I was not able to make any QSO. Best receive for me was SJ2W (congrats), worked them twice (sorry), they had a strong signal and they got my call correct already the first time I called in both QSOs.

This contest was a great experience. It was not easy and you need to have a lot....I repeat, a lot of patience. Sometimes calling 15 minutes for one station and then in the end just half a contact sometimes is depressing. At the other end, I managed 52 QSOs this way and think that's not at all bad.

Netherlands records PE4BAS CQWW CW:

SO Assisted 80m QRP 2014
SO Assisted 160m LOW 2016
SO 80m QRP 2017