I need to think about a reply more thoroughly.  Of my 24 hours and 40
minutes of operating, I spent most of my time in search and pounce mode.  In
this mode, it helps to have a loud signal.  But on the higher bands, it also
helps to have a beam, so you can hear a lot more.  I am still getting used
to the idea of running stations a lot; my habits learned while running lower
power are hard to overcome.  So the only CQ-ing I did was on 20 and 15, and
only when it looked like the band was wide open and I would miss stations if
I just went searching up the band.  In one of those runs today, N1MM clocked
me working 148 stations in an hour on 20 (while I was in the CQ mode).  I
don't have the computer keying the transmitter yet, but do use some memories
programmed directly into the FT950.

The rough final score is 1,149 QSO's and 285 band-country multipliers, for a
score of 982,000 points.  This is a record for me at this QTH.

Tom, when I heard you on CW last night, your signal was nice and loud.  I
thought you had your amp on.  These contests are a learning experience, for
sure.  I like them because you can "compete on terms of equality" with
sighted hams.
73,
Lloyd Rasmussen, W3IUU, Wheaton, Maryland
Home:  http://lras.home.sprynet.com
Work:  http://www.loc.gov/nls
 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> On Behalf Of Tom Behler
> Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 11:22 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Some thoughts on the ARRL International DX CW Contest
> 
> 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