[UK-CONTEST] CQWWCW SOAB(A) LP G3ZQH

[G3ZQH]

My first ever CW contest- quite an experience! Intended to have a go for a
few hours to test/improve my rudimentary CW skills developed over the last
year, but got quite involved in the end on both days.
Having never done the F1, F2 etc thing before I was nervous at the start,
but in the end I was surprised how easy it was using N1MM. Also, this new
non-shouting mode of contesting was much approved of by my family who were
less than impressed by my 24h+ of yelling in CQWWSSB...
I decided to do S&P only which gave me lots of practice in copying those
30wpm CQs - it often took me several goes to get the call right but it was
much more fun than using a CW training program. I used the cluster but I
quickly realised that many (most?) of the spots were unreliable and found it
easier just to sweep up and down the bands.
One of the most difficult things I found was quickly swapping from F keys to
paddle when the need arose- I seemed to botch this nearly every time- I
guess mastering this comes with experience.
 
Worked a staggering 124 new CW band slots over the weekend, so very pleased
with the outcome. I may have imagined it, but I felt my CW copying skills
had noticeably improved by the end of the second day. However, pausing to
listen to some of the top CW operators in the contest (UK and elsewhere) was
truly awesome and put me in my place! 
 
All in all a very enjoyable contest despite my modest score posted- I'll be
working to improve on this next year...
 
Dave G3ZQH
 
 
Call: G3ZQH
Class: SOAB(A) LP
QTH: Nottingham, UK
Operating Time (hrs): 16
 
Summary:
 Band  QSOs  Zones  Countries
------------------------------
  160:   62     6       29
   80:  106    14       47
   40:  142    17       57
   20:  221    16       60
   15:    1     1        1
   10:                    
------------------------------
Total:  532    54      194  Total Score = 237,832
 
100W FT1000MP 45ft vert (160/80/40) doublet (20/15)