[3830] WPX SSB KB0EO SOAB HP

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                    CQWW WPX Contest, SSB - 2020

Call: KB0EO
Operator(s): KB0EO
Station: KB0EO

Class: SOAB HP
QTH: Minnesota
Operating Time (hrs): 10:15

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
  160:    1
   80:    1
   40:  832
   20:  346
   15:   24
   10:    2
------------
Total: 1206  Prefixes = 395  Total Score = 645,825

Club: Minnesota Wireless Assn

Comments:

This is a fun contest - everyone works everyone. I decided to make contacts vs.
getting points, so run about 99% of the time. Friday night at the opening bell,
I ran for 2.5 hours straight at a feverish pace, racking up 525 QSOs, all on 40
meters - averaged 210 QSOs per hour. I finally had to quit due to a pounding
headache. I had some good rates on Saturday, but had to shut down in the
afternoon due to severe weather. I worked Charlie NG0C on all bands. My only
objective was to get 1200 QSOs - the score didn't matter. Although I worked some
DX, I felt it was better to work USA and Canada stations, so pointed the
antennas at those hot spots.

Here are a few "observations" from this year's contest:

1. 20 meters is horrible for SSB contests when we are at the low end of the
sunspot cycle - everyone was jammed into 200 KHz. I actually had a KA6 work me
then bitch at me that he could hear me 2 KCs up - I asked him what was I to do
as the whole band is jam-packed...he went away pissed off. Really????

2. 40 meters has many small regional "nets" that feel they own a
frequency. I had at least 5 of them ask me to move in the middle of big runs. If
they asked very nicely, I generally complied - if they were dicks, I did not
move. They always raise a big stink during the contests, often deliberately
QRMing...not too bad this year, although I did get some DQRM a couple of times.

3. I tried to help numerous hams that had no idea what was going on - I think it
is important to help mentor new comers to the hobby - they were all
appreciative.

4. The bands seemed more crowded this year, probably because of the world-wide
pandemic - what do people have to do but get on the air...

73,

Dan - KB0EO
Kilkenny, MN


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