[3830] ARRLDX CW TO8T(K8BKM) SOAB HP

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                    ARRL DX Contest, CW - 2019

Call: TO8T
Operator(s): K8BKM
Station: TO8T

Class: SOAB HP
QTH: FM
Operating Time (hrs): 37.5

Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Mults
-------------------
  160:  320    51
   80:  711    58
   40: 1209    59
   20: 1248    60
   15: 1051    58
   10:    3     3
-------------------
Total: 4542   289  Total Score = 3,937,914

Club: 

Comments:

A bucket-list event in many ways. First trip to a Caribbean island, first time
operating a pileup from the other end, first time operating a 48-hour contest,
and many more.

Ever since I was a teenage ham, I dreamed of operating in a DXpedition.
Combining that dream with my interest in contesting lead me look for a DX
location to operate the ARRL DX CW contest, somewhere close to the USA. My first
choice of YS fell through which lead me to search the Internet for rental
shacks. I was very fortunate to hook up with Laurent, FM5BH, who has a Top 10
producing station in Martinique. Laurent has a fantastic station in his home;
it's not a hotel or AirBnB, but part of his home. He doesn't rent to casual
tourists, only hams! I received advice from Laurent and a number of his other
guests from the past. Thanks for all the advice!

Leading up to the contest, I operated casually, entered into two CWT mini-tests,
while familiarizing myself with the station. Every time I got on the air there
were huge pile-ups. I worked mainly simplex pileups to train for the contest. I
also worked a few split-frequency pileups, especially when working EU. 

While not operating, I enjoyed a few visits to the beach and went snorkeling 
where I saw lots of beautiful fish and sea turtles. Laurent guided me to some
great local restaurants as well. The day of the contest I headed out to see Mont
Pelee, the island volcano. On the way back, in the last mile before returning to
the shack, my car was hit from behind in a roundabout. I spent two hours dealing
with the other driver and the rental car company filling out forms and replacing
the car. That was some un-needed stress, but I tried to remain calm and brush it
off - I was not going to let it spoil my weekend. I came back and tried to take
a nap before the start of the contest but I was too excited!

I won't elaborate on band conditions or specific events in the contest, but I
will say that this station is incredible. I was loud on every band and had no
problem holding a run frequency. Fortunately, the pileups weren't bad at all but
I had a very good rate. The only time it got somewhat difficult is when I was
spotted, then the pileup suddenly grew! The station is fully SO2R capable but
this operator is not. Instead, I used the second radio to monitor band
conditions, which lead me to the 3 (!) Q's on 10m! It also facilitated quick
band changes, as I could prepare radio 2 while operating radio 1. It was like I
was given the keys to a Fereri but used to driving a Chevy! 

I operated 37.5 out of 48 hours, sleeping 2-3 hours each night and taking a
number of 20-30 minute naps when I felt it necessary. My goal was to make at
least 4,000 Q's, something I've never done before. A few more Q's and I could
have had a score over 4M. 

Thank you Laurent for the use of your station and thanks everyone for all the
Q's. It was the trip of a lifetime. 

73, Tom
FM/K8BKM, aka TO8T


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