Topband: Big CQWWSSB 160 Mtr Scores Being Posted Out of EU

[ah8dx Craig Maxey]

Big CQWWSSB 160 Mtr Scores Being Posted Out of EU.
 
As the SOSB 160HP scores start to trickle in, it is apparent that the boys from across the pond amassed some amazing numbers in last weekends CQWWSSB. I applaud these ops for their tenacity on a very difficult band. It is very easy to give up and only the strong willed will survive and stick with it. I believe ops are putting up better xmit antenna's and better rx antenna's.
 
 
Even with these high scores there still are higher scores to be posted that we have not seen yet. The SOSB 160HP catagory appeared this year that it was and is the category to keep an eye on. A friend in northern Africa told me before the test that when he switched the beverage aimed at the Caribbean, that he could tell that there was a major wx storm in that area without even looking at the wx channel. He could not have been more right on!
 
With Tropical Storm Noel picking up steam, the static crashes/QRN were some of the worst that I ever have experienced since contesting from the Caribbean in the early 1980's. At times, the QRN would peg the s-meter and it would take several seconds for the radio to recover. Listening to my recordings of the contest, it hurts my ears when the static crashes are heard. Trying to dig out signals in between the heavy crackle was very unpleasant. I certainly understand why scores were down this year from the Caribbean/South America areas. No excuse though; this is why I love this band. You have to WORK for qso's. They do not come easily.
 
Please post your observations in regards to what you think. Several comments from guys that entered this category from EU stated that they had record number of German stations make it into their log.  I am curious why such a high number of German's and why not a high number of EA's and so forth.
 
Thanks for all of the top band qso's and c u on 160 again.
 
Craig, WP2/AH8DX
 
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