[UK-CONTEST] CQ WW SSB 2006 - G8D

[G3SJJ]

We had FUN!!!!  I was impressed with a request on the CDXC Reflector 
from 16 year old Mark M3NCG / 2E0NCG for help with getting involved in 
contesting and so invited him over to do a non-serious attempt at CQWW 
SSB. He accepted the offer and made the 3 hour journey from his home on 
the east coast, arriving at Nottingham train station, where I met him 
just after 1000 on Saturday. Two bonus points straight away, he asked 
and he made the effort!

I mentally set some targets which I hoped he would achieve by the end of 
his stay, Sunday 1600. (He is studying A levels in Maths, Physics and 
double Business Studies so I wanted him to get home at a reasonable 
time.) He achieved and exceeded all the targets easily. What a superb 
operator, bearing in mind CQWW SSB is probably the biggest, busiest and 
most competitive SSB contest in the calendar. He never once refused to 
take the controls, indeed always had a grin when I suggested he take 
over operating. I seemed to get more tired as the weekend progressed!!

On 80m we did S&P, and worked US/Carib split. Dead easy, why did I think 
he couldn't handle that? On 40m he quickly got the idea of switching the 
40m phased 2el gp array west to work States 7150 up. HF bands, well what 
can I say? Ran States at 140+ an hour like a veteran, (He says "20m is a 
bit busy," ermmm yes!!) S&Ped the mults, grabbed them of the DX Cluster 
and absolutely relished breaking the pile-ups to work some choice DX. He 
knew roughly the beaming headings, he definitely knew the prefixes like 
XX9, 3X, 3W, 6W etc and knew some of the ops names! Oh and got the hang 
of changing bands / tuning the amp!

We didn't operate down the bottom end of 40m, we did give our callsign 
in full when S&P and after each Run QSO. If only others followed his 
example!!

This wasn't about building up a big score, it was about us having fun, 
Mark learning and having the opportunity to operate a more elaborate 
station than at home, and me being able to give something back to the 
hobby and being able to encourage a younger operator.

Lowlights - few if any.

Highlights - many. Working some nice DX and often breaking the pile-up 
first call. Jeez, didn't that give Mark a buzz (and me!) - XX9, 3X, XF4, 
TU, 3DA, VK9C. To name but a few. Running Ws and getting Big Sig reports 
plus also a comment "You guys actually listen"  (Mark operating.)  
Running Far East and VKs!!!! Moving around the bands and getting to know 
their propagation. Seeing him pick up N1MM Logger so easily. Oh, so many 
things!!

I can thoroughly recommend Mark for any level of contesting. A real buzz.

Station - FT1000MP, Acom 1000 amp, N1MM Logger, mHam Voice Keyer,  A4S, 
2 el phased gp array for 40m, 66ft gp for 80m.

Band    QSOs    Pts   Cty    ZN
   3.5       42        81    25       9
      7       47        81    32     10
    14      376      818    84     32
     21     185      359    75     24
     28     138      178    50     17
  Total     788    1517  266     92         Score : 543,086


Chris G3SJJ