2009 ARRL International DX Contest (CW)

DL1DXA -- Jun 25, 2009 06:23 ET

Thanks to all stations calling DL1DXA for their patience, especially AB0RX which I couldn't copy on 20m. I had strong QRN local. Good conditions on the low bands. Nothing on 10m. Unfortunately, very weak signals on 15m, except K4EA with an outstanding signal. Participation only about 15 hours.

73,

Uli -- DL1DXA

ZF2AM -- Jun 21, 2009 17:55 ET

The ZF2AM arsenal is brought to bear on the USA

The two longest elements on the big log periodic were laying on the ground when I arrived and 40 was shot. Fortunately, it still played fine on the other bands and the Pro67 at 65 ft was OK on 40.

Then about 5 hours in, the main radio (the one with the good filters) died. It took 10 min to re-wire the amp and there would be no SO2R when things slowed down on the second day.

The low bands were great as the new 80 M and 160 antennas were playing very well. 20 was consistantly good but very crowded when 10 and 15 were closed. 15 did not open at all until about 11 am, and then only very spotty. Luckily it broke wide open at about 3 both days for some fantastic runs.

Late on Sunday, I got a nudge from WX0B to try 10. I heard lots of SA stations running but rarely heard the stations they were working. Tried CQ'ing anyway and had a direct pipeline to Texas (remember the 10 M contest?). Grabbed another 4 mults at ESP level before the band shut back down. Sorry if we didnt connect.

Thanks to all you rare mults for the moves and skeds. Never heard NU or LAB but got all the rest on most bands.

Now I hear the crane pulling up to take down the log. Hopefully we can fix it this week. CU next weekend for the 160 SSB test.

QSL's go to K6AM direct, W6 buro or LOTW.

John ZF2AM/K6AM -- K6AM

M1A -- May 26, 2009 07:01 ET

Jiri M0ITY

Great fun! Really just playing mainly on 160m but main focus on work around stations. 73 and good luck all. Jiri -- M0ITY

FM5KC -- Apr 21, 2009 16:45 ET

Great contest! -- UT5UGR

EI4CF/P -- Mar 11, 2009 13:18 ET

EI4CF/P and quad beside Galway bay, Fanore, Co. Clare.

Having read about the enhancing effect of salt water on antennas I decided to move to the sea-side for this test. I, with the help of Tony ei6ggb, put up a two element quad for 20m on the edge of a raised beach, about 20' above the sea at high tide, and a further 10' or so higher at low tide. It worked very well for me, and I almost doubled my highest score on 20m since I started taking part in this test. My rig was the Icom 7800, and a bencher keyer. -- EI4CF

W5ZN -- Mar 6, 2009 08:32 ET

Single Band 80 meter Single Op High Power. Conditions were good from Arkansas. Lots of good Q's with QRP stations in Europe and many 50 watt JA stations. Finished with 607 Q's and 85 mults.

Thanks to all who called.

My granddaughter's pacifier reduces QRM by 23.7 dB! :-)

73 Joel -- W5ZN

WB6IYM -- Mar 6, 2009 21:24 ET

The Operating Position at WB6IYM

Had generally good results this time out. Made 200+ contacts in spite of my limited antenna system (ground mounted HF9V) and the absence of sun spots! This was the first contest for my newly installed HF9V with radial system which replaced and aging HF6V with almost non-existent ground system.

Spent my time between 40 meters in the evening and early morning and 20 the rest of the time. Forget 15 and 10; neither one produced anything for me here this year. Despite all this I managed to work Cape Verde and Canary Islands! Can't wait until the sun spots return to see what I can do with this new HF9V set up.

Cheers, and 73's for now.....Charles -- WB6IYM

VP2VVA -- Mar 5, 2009 19:22 ET

VP2VVA Contest Operating Position

This was my 65h Birthday Contest-Pediton trip present to myself.

I want to thank my host George, VP2VQ, his lovely XYL Gilda, daughter Tiffany Nicole and son Joseph for helping make this very short trip a fun time, as well as a primarily 20m single band successful adventure.

Next time I plan to get in some sightseeing. Didn't even get to dip my toes in the Caribbean this trip.

73 & Tnx for all the contest QSOs & Mults...

Rick, K6VVA * The Locust -- K6VVA -- K6VVA

NP3CW -- Mar 4, 2009 14:14 ET

During the 2009 ARRL International DX Contest I had so many family

activities that I made only 11 QSO's in 36 minutes before ending of

the contest. Worked MA,DE,PA,NY,IA,WA,CA,MN,and from Canada BC and

ON.

There were only 3 bands active at the end of the contest in to my

city; 80 40 and 20 meters.

Good luck to all guys that were active on this event.

Hope to improve the score next year.

Julio, San Juan, P.R. -- NP3CW

YV6BXN -- Mar 3, 2009 23:34 ET

I think my code speed need went up because I am not skill cw contester :) This was my first real attempt at a CW contest. Thanks to everyone for be patient during exchanges, I was able to handle the 20+WPM speeds of the stations calling but sometime I have a hard time with qsb. anyway was definitely fun. See next year

MEL -- YV6BXN

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