[UK-CONTEST] ZC4DW - Commonwealth Contest - Restricted LP

[Dez in Cyprus]

RSGB Commonwealth Contest, CW

Call: ZC4DW
Operator(s): ZC4DW
Station: ZC4DW

Class: Restricted LP
QTH: Ayios Nikoloas, (Eastern Sovereign Base Area)
Operating Time (hrs): 12:00

Summary:
 Band  QSOs
------------
   80:   13
   40:   72
   20:  172
   15:  145
   10:  148
------------
Total:  550  Total Score = 5,260

Club: Chiltern DX Club

Hard to believe this was my first entry into BERU, (however did put ZD860CC
on
the air in the 60th CC several years back as a HQ special call).

Like Bruce, ZF2NT said, the 12 hour restricted section is a great category
for a number
of reasons. It gives the contester something to think about, it's a
challenge tactically
knowing when to break and when to operate.

BUT, the restricted section is also welcomed by shift-workers such as
myself. I could not
get leave from work on the Saturday evening, and a big chunck of prime
operating was lost.
Nevertheless it still made for an excellent contest. Thanks to all those who
called.

Very surprised with the good number of stations; great turn out from the
U.K.
although it's a pity GI, GW, GM, MU etc... all count as one call area.
Surely
if VE1 can work VE2, then GM ought to be allowed to work G for example?! Oh
well, that debate will rage on as always.

Only had a few stns from outside the Commonwealth who tried calling, OX and
JT were ones
which I did work for zero points, but once you work 1, then you run the risk
of opening the
floodgates to Europe and before you know it you have a pile-up of nil
pointers. They will have
to wait until JUBILEE.

I finished my 12 hours with 2 hours of BERU left, so hopefully appeased a
few Europeans
by working a short sporadic-E opening towards the end.

Quick points:

1. Biggest surprise finding AP2ARS on 80m.

2. Biggest disappointment not finding any ZS.

3. Stray RF getting into the keyer on 21 MHz and 7 MHz, this has not
happened before. Sorry if my keying sounded
'drunk' on 40m at times.

4. 21 MHz was murder for the whole contest, RADAR was wiping out the entire
band and it wasn't TX-ing from Cyprus.

FT-1000mp, barefoot
Inverted-L, 30 feet vertical, 60 feet horizontal

P.S.  Bring on the JUBILEE contest!