CQWW CW 2007: WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE FROM DOWN UNDER?

By Jamie Dupree NS3T, radio-sport.net 

Most veteran contesters have learned through the years what times they need to be on what bands during a contest like CQWW.

But take a minute to think outside the box - what about one of your target areas? What are operators doing there? What bands are they on?

Radio-sport.net asked contester Martin Luther VK7GN of Australia to give us some insight into how he tackles a CQWW contest from Tasmania.

0000Z - "As we are on “summer time” contests start at 11.00 am Saturday and go until 11.00am Monday morning. That makes the start in daylight and with the sunspots where they are it is a difficult choice on where to start.

Start would probably be on 15 working JA and watching for openings on ten and watching 20 for USA SP and LP Europe."

0300Z - "Once 20 opens to LP Europe I will work that as much as possible picking up a few SP W’s as well.

Note that at these times 0300 through 0700 if I seem to be struggling to hear you in the United States when you have me very strong, it is because I have a huge screaming pile of LP Europe calling me at the same time."

0700Z - "Watching for SP opening to W on 40. Don’t usually start too early down there but move when 20 is fading on LP to Eu. There is LP Europe on 40 but it can be very difficult to get through the QRM at their end."

0900Z - "Work USA on 40 and watch for openings on 80. Monitor K3LR or W3LPL on 80 until they are loud enough to work then move to 80.

"Same for 160 usually around 1100Z, Find loudest W, usually K3LR, monitor for peak then try to work on 160."

1200Z - "By now it is dark here and 20 is opening short path to Asia and Europe. Scandanavia is usually good and we get them providing they are not all beamed round to work W’s!"

1600-2100Z - "20 and 40 are good through the night until dawn when I look for Europe etc on 80 and 160 meters."

"After dawn watch for LP into carribean on 20 and W LP .There are also some JA’s at this time. After close move to 15 while monitoring ten for openings."

As for why he enjoys the hobby...

Most of my motivation comes from loving contesting. I get a buzz from running a pile real fast. I get a buzz from finding new mults on difficult bands like 160 or 80 (or right now 10). I get a buzz operating little single country contests – can I get all the mults in the SP contest or OK/OM etc .

I can say categorically that if your only motivation to contest is the ability to win then don’t bother coming down to 42degrees south! Hi!

On the other hand if you want to see one of the most beautiful, unspoiled places in the world and breathe air that is so fresh they bottle it, then you are welcome to visit VK7GN and VK7QP and sample the radio here while staying with us.

- Martin VK7GN