A hearty congrats to you, Lloyd.
You should be commended for a fantastic contest effort!
I'll be the first to admit that I'm in the learning mode here, and I have a
long way to catch up to you, but it sure is fun trying.
I had considered running the amplifier, but figured I'd just stick to 100
watts this time.
Perhaps I'll re-think that for the next big DX CW contest that comes along.
I also appreciate the signal report, Lloyd.
I suspect you heard me on 40.
Anyway, I'll keep plugging along here, honing my skills as I go.
73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
----- Original Message -----
From: "Lloyd Rasmussen" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 11:50 PM
Subject: Re: Some thoughts on the ARRL International DX CW Contest
>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
>
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