Hi Tom,

I would have to echo Mike's comments to some degree.  I've only played a
little in the contest and mainly on 15 and 20.  We were out yesterday during
the middle of the day so can't say about ten.  On 15 I heard mostly DX
stations calling both from Asia during the early evening and Europe
yesterday morning.  On 20 in the evenings, and much later than I would have
guessed, I heard a lot of stateside people calling CQ.  The little I heard
last night on 40 was mainly stateside guys calling CQ but did work C6AKQ on
40.  I was having some trouble with RF getting into power supply there on 40
and need to look at that.

I hope that helps a little.  I definitely agree with Mike's thoughts
regarding behavior or the big guns and also qualify as an old buzzard I
think.

Take care Tom and very 73 to all. 


 
Kevin :)
Amateur Radio:  K7RX
 

-----Original Message-----
From: For blind ham radio operators [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
On Behalf Of Tom Behler
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 08:22
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