Category: SO AB LP
TRX: IC-7300 100W
Antennas: 4 el 10m LFA, Inv-V 2x22m, 3-band Halo.
Well, I'm still recovering of this weekend. The CQWW contest was a blast. I could not be on the radio the whole weekend due to other obligations. But still I managed to make 900 QSOs in total. I stopped early Sunday evening because I was very tired, otherwise I could certainly make 1K QSOs. However, what is the benefit of an extra few QSOs against some rest before the new work week?
This was also the first time I used my contestcall PA6G. I really liked it. No mix up with EA4BAS anymore, the short callsign is easy to call after every exchange. When calling S&P I noticed that calling Papa Alfa Six Germany instead of Golf in the end helps a lot. In short: it was a very good choice to have a contestcall, it has a lot of benefits. I still have to get used to it in CW though.
Propagation was very good this weekend. On 10m I managed a few small pile-ups with Japan in the morning and USA/Canada in the afternoon, rate about 80 QS/hr. On 80m I was spotted several times, rate was about 120 Qs/hr. I think that is not bad for a modest station with only 100W. As a matter of fact, I think if I would be able to be on for the whole weekend I could get a score like a high powered station. It is all a matter of get the right (free) spot on the band to run and get spotted by others. You need to a little bit lucky as well, but it is also operating practice. Some think it is just a matter of being the strongest but I disagree. You can't beat propagation, even not with large antennas and a lot of power. Although a good station helps of course.
Still can't find a reasonable mapper. This map is made with Global Overlay Mapping by EI8IC. I wanted to make a map at the worldradioleague site I previously noted but it seems those 900 QSOs are just too much and the map is not showing. But below are at least some statistics from that site.
I really miss the adventureradio site for this. It was a really good site but the creator had to stop because of map issues. The site is still online but is not loading the map.
Anyway, I had great fun. I didn't do as well as last year due to other obligations. But there will always be a next one. It was a nice experience to work with my new contestcall for the first time. I'm certainly very happy with it. Till next year. 73 and good DX.
Mooi resultaat voor een single op, Bas. Pile-ups wegwerken is altijd leuk.
ReplyDeleteIk heb een weekendje plezier gehad bij OT5A op 40&10m. Af en toe een SSB-contest draaien, zeker bij een multi-multi, is ook spannend en leuk.
73, Martin - PE1EEC
Hoi Martin, bij een conteststation meedoen is ook erg leuk. Voordeel is, als er genoeg operators zijn, dat je even pauze kunt nemen zonder teveel QSO rate te verliezen. En het is ook gezellig natuurlijk. Hoop dat jullie een prachtscore hebben gemaakt. 73, Bas
DeleteGood morning Bas and very nice to read about your weekend contest adventure. It's great the new call is working out well for you. I can understand getting used to using it with CW. When I first moved to the East coast it took me a bit of time getting used to the new call but in time it all comes together.
ReplyDeleteGreat to read about your adventure and I hope Monday morning did not come to early for you.
73,
Mike
VE9KK
Hello Mike, yes it will be a thing next CW contest. I really have to hold myself keying PE4BAS instead of PA6G. But I'm shure I will get it after a few calls. Yes, monday morning was an early one. But I managed it all :-). 73, Bas
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