Random Skip de DR

The results are finally in and for the first time yours truly will not get any metal in the DX Challenge. Sounds like Olympic talk doesn't it. I thought I had a shot at the Bronze, but my friend SP5EWY beat me out for 3rd place by a large margin, 7 band entities. OZ1LO moved from 4th place to second with a score of 3155, but still well behind champ I4EAT at 3163. During 2009 Fausto added an amazing 21 to his first place score in 2008. I suspect over half of these were on 6 meters. Now 4 of the top 5 slots in the Challenge are occupied by Europeans which is what I have predicted. For any North American to reach the top three again will require a monster F2 season in this present sunspot cycle which I regard as highly improbable. Am I disappointed? No, in fact it takes away a lot of the pressure. What I lacked in numbers in 2009 I made up for in quality with the likes of FT5GA and JT1CO on top band and TO8YY on 10 meters. Several of my friends have suggested that the ARRL should establish a VHF (50 Mhz and above) DX Challenge and drop 50 Mhz from the present Challenge. This makes some sense, but I for one am not going to champion such a cause as it would seem to be very self serving. It would level the playing field with the Europeans.

For the first time in a good many years I was a part of a big multi-multi contest operation. My friend, W4PRO and I went to super station, NR4M for the ARRL CW DX contest. We were the 160 meter team. Although Steve has an antenna system rivaling that of W3LPL and the other big multi-multi stations he still doesn't have the depth of experience with his team. I predict that Steve's and his team will continue to climb in the "big league" standings in future years. I must say that in terms of accommodations his layout is the best I have ever experienced. Steve is a wonderful and generous host and his team of operators are all very friendly. I considered it a great honor to be invited for this contest and it enabled Jim, W4PRO and I to relive out time together as the low band operators at YK9A. Another CVCC'er was a part of the team for this contest. Kyle did a great job the second night on 80 meters. Our only problem was getting in and out of Steve's 1/4 mile lane which was covered with about a foot of snow and ice. Luckily my 4 wheel drive Honda CRV made it, but others weren't so lucky. Steve's big tractor took care of the unlucky ones.

If you need 9U on any band keep your eyes peeled for the German group currently there and if you hear or see them spotted on 160 give me a call! Happy hunting.

Bob W4DR