Hi, all.

I suspect I spent approximately 9 hours of operating time this week-end, 
playing in the ARRL International DX CW contest, and my results were 
somewhat disappointing.

I have some thoughts on the contest, and would like the reactions of others 
as well.

To give you background, I decided to stick to 100 watts, since it was a CW 
contest.  I used my Alpha Delta DXCC antenna, and operated on 10, 15, 20, 
and 40 meters.

Band conditions weren't the greatest, in my opinion, but I have seen worse.

Here's where my disappointment comes in:

I did mainly S and P work, which is where I got most of my contacts. 
However, I did spend some time sending out CQ's on the various bands, with 
only a handful of contacts.

To me, the contest seemed like more of a situation where big gun DX stations 
were competing with one another to get the highest score, with very few DX 
stations actually roaming out there trying to give contacts to folks like us 
from the states.  It also seemed like there were not terrific numbers  of US 
stations calling CQ.

I guess the whole contest environment seemed a bit strange to me.

Then again, I'm the first to admit that I'm a relative newby to contesting, 
and therefore, have very much to learn.

Anyway, I'd be interested in the thoughts and experiences of others who 
might have played in the contest this week-end, or in previous years.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ