CQWW DX SSB OFFERS BIG REWARDS AND HIGH STAKES FOR WRTC 2010 QUALIFYING

By Jamie Dupree NS3T, radio-sport.net 

It's already considered the biggest contest of the year, but now the CQ Worldwide DX tests have even more importance as they have been given the highest weight of any qualifying contest for the 2010 World Radiosport Team Championships in Russia.

One very important note about the 2010 rules is that single band entries and QRP entries do not qualify for any WRTC points.

The entry that can get you up to 950 points in CQ WW is Single Operator All Band High Power. Assisted, Low Power and all the multi categories have their scores reduced by a special formula set up by the Russian WRTC sponsors.

It's already obvious that the WRTC process has some operators changing their ways, like Vladimir Askenov RW1AC, who often operates with the RU1A multi in CQ WW.

Radio-sport.net asked Askenov "Are you going SOAB HP this year so you can get more points for 2010 WRTC in Russia?"

"Yes, you are right!" said the Russian by email. "For SOAB HP unassisted - 950 points for first place in European Russia. If I operate M/2, that is only 950 x 0.8 - 760 points is not enough," said Askenov.

Some who chose to do single band entries last year are also popping up in the SOAB HP ranks, like Jeff Briggs K1ZM/VY2ZM. In 2006, he did 160 meters in CQWW SSB and 80 meters in WW CW.

"I expect to do a SOAB HP from VY2ZM and WRTC 2010 is probably as good a reason as any," said Briggs.

But for everyone who might switch this year, there are countless others sticking to their usual plans.

"I will be traveling in 3V for CQ WW CW and SSB," says Hrane Milosevic YT1AD. Last year his 3V6T group won the World multi-two title and then Milosevic finished 2nd as 3V6T in the CQWW World single op battle.

"CW will be either Multi-single or SOAB," said Milosevic, who left no doubt about his overall plans.

"I will try to qualify for WRTC 2010."

Milosevic though will need to operate some from his home region of EU #4, as the 2010 rules limit you to four "DX" scores and no more than four multi-op scores as well.

Another op looking for more WRTC points is Paul Ormandy ZL4PW, who finds himself in the lead of the Oceania #1 qualifying region.

"I am entering both SSB and CW," said Ormandy, "they're my main contest interests."

Ormandy told radio-sport.net that he will "even take a day off work so I can compete for as much of the 48 hours as sleep deprivation allows!"

Ormandy won the Assisted category in the OC #1 region in last year's CQ WW CW contest, as many other possible contenders opted for single band efforts instead, which do not qualify for WRTC points.