1999 CQ WPX CW Contest

Am I still competitive in Single Op?

This was my serious Single Op DX contest since 1990. I organized Multi/Multi team for CQ WW DX Phone in 1990 Oct and we successfully broke the old Pacific continental M/M record as KH0AM. Then I went Saipan again alone for CQWW DX CW for Single Op. Since then I had organized KH0AM M/M team every year for CQ WW DX contests until 1995. My interest had been in M/M and I did not operate DX contest in Single Op class seriously.

JE1CKA playing with TR-log during 1999 CQ WPX CW

Why did I choose the WPX contest?

The WPX contest is the good contest for rehabilitation since 10years blank. The rule forced single ope to take 12 hours rest in 48 hours period. Full 48 hours contest must be impossible for me in above situation.

Strategy

I had less experience in multi-band contesting in recent years and this contest would be my REHABILITATION, so I decided to go in 14MHz single band. At that time there were only 2 antennas usable 7MHz-2ele and 14MHz-5el. My choice was 14MHz. In JA between 00 and 05/6UTC might be the low rate hours so I planned to take the rest in those hours.

Middle tower is 27m high with 7MHz-2ele and 14MHz-5el yagi.

Set Up

The set-up was a 5element monoband yagi at 27m, FT1000D + KW. I used TR-Log v6.40. The note book computer had a good communication with FT1000MP with several good features like BAND MAP etc. However 1000MP was out of order so I had to use FT1000D. Everythins was different between 1000MP and 1000D and I could not interface TR-log to FT1000D. Anyhow the multiplier is not so important for CQ WPX contest, so I gave up to use rig control featuere of TR-Log.

Did I enjoyed?

YES!!
I could keep alive first day. The band had a constant opening to Europe and could work 700+ QSOs. I set my goal to 1000QSOs before the contest but I believed I should try to work 1500QSOs. I took rest for 6 hours 2nd day 00 to 06UTC but I could not sleep. 2nd day midnight, I was overpowered with drowsiness. So I tried to awake me up by washing face, drinking coffee or hitting my face. But not so good result. 2nd day QSOs were ended only 500 QSOs.

The final score was 1209QSOs - 3289Points - 587Multis = 1,930,643

I had some feelings back like 10 years ago. After I'll make some more REHABILITATION in sigle band, I'll be in multi band contesting.

See you in the Contest-Pile-Up!!
JE1CKA/KH0AM Tack Kumagai

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