2007 All Asian CW Preview

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

If you're not thrilled by the contest lineup in coming weeks, then maybe it might be time to work a little DX, a little All Asian DX CW contest.

"It is nice to enter a non-Eurocentric contest," says Bob Wolbert K6XX. "I will indeed participate in AA CW this year."

Wolbert was at the top of the pack from the United States in the 2006 version, where he made almost 600 contacts to just edge K7QQ for the high score in US.

While the AACW rules do allow Asian-to-Asian contacts, the points are higher for DX QSO's on 15, 20 and 40 meters. Those points are doubled for DX contacts on 10 and 80 meters and tripled on 160.

Some aren't sure that formula works, but that's the price of being the DX says Wolbert. "Working the less-common, but not rare, Asian multipliers through JA pileups (can be) difficult from here."

While Wolbert and other West Coast contesters have a decided edge, there's no reason not to try for some contacts from back East in the US and elsewhere around the world.

In fact, there was an unclaimed plaque from last year for the top single operator score from the W1 call district in the US and from France as well (minimum 100 contacts.)

The one down side for those not in Asia continues to be the evidence of a drop-off in contest activity by Japanese amateurs.

"When I returned to AA about four years ago, I found the severe decline in JA operators that has plagued all other DX contests," said Wolbert. "The increase in BY, HL/DS and YB operators over the same period has by no means compensated for the reduction in JA activity."

The 2007 All Asian DX CW contest runs 0000Z June 16, 2007 through 2400Z June 17, 2007. More information at the JARL website.