CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB
Call: P40W
Operator(s): W2GD
Station: P40W
Class: SOAB(A) LP
QTH: Aruba
Operating Time (hrs): 34
Summary:
Band QSOs Zones Countries
------------------------------
160: 26 6 15
80: 284 18 55
40: 295 25 81
20: 1015 24 95
15: 1003 27 101
10: 1102 24 73
------------------------------
Total: 3725 124 420 Total Score = 5,842,560
Club: Frankford Radio Club
Comments:
K3 @ 100W, Win-Test Software
Antennas:
160m Vertical Dipole and Inverted V,
80m Inverted V and 3el wire beam EU
40m F12 Delta 240 and 4 ele wire beam EU
20/15/10 F12 C31XR @ F12 C3 @ 60ft
Beverages NE, NW, E/W, N/S
This was very likely the most challenging CQWW Phone event in several decades.
The only consolation might be that it took place two days after the worst of
this latest solar event. Trying to operate when the K=9 would have been much
worse.
Upon arrival found only minor damage from the recent local storms. Had the
station 100% repaired and operational by Tuesday evening. With 10 inches of
rain in just the past four weeks and following a nearly two year drought the
island fauna has awakened from its long sleep - there is green everywhere.
Toyed with the idea of operating SOAB QRP (A) but the solar storm made that
option a non-starter. I enjoy QRP very much, but not under these conditions.
Overall the score is down roughly 35 to 40% compared to CQWW PH 2015 which was
a record breaking year. Not particularly surprising given the solar storm.
There was an obvious RF wall that cut off S.A. from almost everything above
about 50 degrees north latitude in EU and AS. Only logged roughly 20 UA1-9, 2
OH, 2 SM, 5 JA, and perhaps 100 DL callsigns all weekend - when normally there
are hundreds and hundreds. Numbers like these are strong evidence of how
significant the solar event had become. Perhaps the only saving grace - the
event was two days following indices of A=60 and K=9.
First few hours of operating were dismal. Looking back a large part of it was
my failure to mentally adjust fully to conditions. I was trying to run EU when
I should have been concentrating on working what the bands were providing,
namely volume to NA and SA. It was absolutely obvious from the start this
would not be a NORMAL contest weekend.
Did about 60% S/P the first 12 hours. I suppose it felt less painful compared
to endless unanswered CQs. Surprised to see the 160/80/40 multiplier totals
were fairly close to normal after the first night, and half way through the
contest the QSO count was only about 20% down from 2015.
The shack air conditioner failed 18 hours into the contest ... seems to be a
lack of coolant since it still runs and the compressor activates. But it
didn't take long to feel the difference in 'comfort'. With no A/C, operating
at night was not viable ... given the shack windows have no screens and recent
heavy rains have generated swarms of hungry mosquitoes. With the less than
optimal band conditions I concluded a longer than normal second night siesta
was in order. The daytime heat wasn't much fun but tolerable with fans.
Very pleasantly surprised to find ten meters open to EU, southern AS and NA -
but the impact of the solar storm was obvious with no Russian stations and
almost no DLs. But oddly the signals from Zones 20, 21 and 22 were plentiful.
Late afternoon runs into USA/VE on 10, 15 and 20 were the highlight of the
weekend, with six 200+ hours recorded.
Enjoyed spending some time with KK9A/P40A and his XYL earlier this week, and
pre and post contest dinners with the P40L team. Having the opportunity to
share the contest with others really adds to the competitive enjoyment.
Will return to Aruba in three weeks for CQWW CW. And later this week I'm
making a short trip to KP2M for ARRL SS CW.
73,
John, W2GD
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