CQWW WPX Contest, CW
Call: W1UE/HR9
Operator(s): W1UE N2WQ
Station: N2WQ/HR9
Class: M/S LP
QTH: Roatan
Operating Time (hrs): 48
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
160: 0
80: 2
40: 276
20: 699
15: 785
10: 23
------------
Total: 1785 Prefixes = 783 Total Score = 4,027,752
Club: Yankee Clipper Contest Club
Comments:
First, thanks to all that took the time to dig our signal out of the mud!
Its been a few years since I've done a major contest:
1. Using low power (100w)
2. No multiplier rig in a MS operation (only one radio)
3. Simple antennas (G5RV, 15/10m parallel dipoles)
4. Low antennas (highest 5m)
5. Long portable call (W1UE/HR9)
We operated from Rudy N2WQ's house on Roatan Island, Honduras. BTW, after
some
renovations he does plan to rent it for contests. While the antennas were truly
less than 5m above aground, the house is situated on a knoll; if you go out 20m
in any direction, the ground drops about 15m rather abruptly. Its not a cliff,
but it is fairly steep. The Caribbean is about 400m away looking to W6/JA, and
about 800m away looking to W1/Eu, with no obstacles in either direction. Poor
antenna, good location.
Our game plan was to sit high in the band and call CQ; Skimmer would spot us
and the party would begin. Well, it didn't exactly happen that way. At least
from here, conditions for most of each day did not seem good. Sitting high in
the band, calling CQ, becomes rather frustrating and discouraging when you get
an answer every 2-3 minutes.
So, we resorted to more S&P than usual, which had its own problems. With a
small signal, you have to wait to get through; your only hope for a one call and
you're done is to be the only caller. Then you have to get the op to copy your
entire long call; many ops copy W1UE fine, but can't get the /HR9 right. So
you wind up repeating the call at 25wpm 2 or 3 times until they get it right.
Also time consuming, but you have to readjust your expectations and be
patient.
A few comments on the contest:
1. Does anyone work 80M in this contest? Less activity here than on 10m.
2. With the 2x points multiplier for 40M Qs, I expected more 40M activity.
Didn't hear that either.
3. 15/20m were definitely the money bands. 15m was great from 1900-2230z each
day, and 20m was great from 2230-0500z each day.
4. With only one antenna that couldn't rotate, we didn't have to worry about
missing a good opening somewhere. It probably wouldn't have done us any good
anyway.
5. 10m was never really open to anywhere.
6. Sunday was definitely better than Saturday. We made 54% of our Qs on Sat,
but expectations were lower and we were more comfortable with our operation.
7. LZ9W- fantastic signal on 10m. They were the only European we heard on 10m
on either day, and we heard them on both days. No,they couldn't hear us.
8. Our pregame goal was 2000 Qs, 4meg score. Made the score, just barely.
9. With the limited time for planning, we did not bring a 160m antenna.
Thanks to Rudy N2WQ for his hospitality and the invitation. Would I do this
again? When do I go?
Dennis W1UE
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
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