Familiar Scene In 2009 CQ WW SSB; N6KT Aims At Repeat Win With OH2UA, W2SC In Pursuit

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Updated October 20, 2008

It has been 26 years since Rich Smith N6KT nabbed his first CQ WW SSB victory, a feat that he has achieved eight times, most recently in 2008. And again in 2009, Smith is the man to beat, as he looks for a record ninth SSB win.

"Iīll be doing SOAB again as HC8A," Smith told radio-sport.net in an email from the Galapagos Islands, "hoping for good conditions and lots of activity."

"The CQWW is my favorite contest because itīs very challenging and thereīs always a great variety of DX on for the contest," Smith added.

"Great op plus great station plus great 10 meter location makes him the favorite," said Tom Georgens W2SC, who finished third to Smith last year from 8P5A in Barbados.

Also chasing Smith will be Toni Linden OH2UA, who surprised many with his second place showing in 2008 from the Azores, which was easily the top SOAB HP score from Europe.

"We have a new call because of changed regulations," said Linden, whose call will be CR2X instead of last year's CU2X.

Linden told radio-sport.net he's not sure how many more points he can squeeze out of the Radio Arcala setup this year, saying 2008 almost went "too well."

"Not any major changes, as the station is ready," Linden said.

As for what to expect on the bands, 2009 seems like it could be a repeat of recent years, with tough sledding on 10 and 15 meters, and a big time boxing match on 20 meters during the day.

"I expect conditions to be slightly better than last year," said Georgens W2SC. "10 will be a struggle but, hopefully, some improvement on 15."

"The lowbands were incredible last year on both modes. I hope that repeats," Georgens told radio-sport.net.

Linden actually made the most contacts of the top three finishers last year, with 7,833 raw QSO's in the log, compared to 7,532 at HC8A and 7,118 at 8P5A.

You can see a link to the log of each Top Ten finisher from last year over on the right of this story, as well as see a rate sheet produced by radio-sport.net to get a better insight on how the top ops grind out their big time finishes.

The difference was that Smith had many more three point contacts from HC8, which gave him the edge over 8P5A's 2-pointers with the US and CU2X's 1-pointers with Europe.

In the end, the advantage was too much, as HC8A ran away with last year's title, just over 3 million points ahead of CU2X and almost 4 million up on 8P5A.

Smith had taken a lengthy sabaatical from ham radio contesting, but returned with a vengeance in 2008, winning both the ARRL DX SSB and CQ WW SSB.

His wins in CQ WW SSB have come from three different locations, at PJ2FR in 1983, 84 and 85; from EA8RCT in 1989 and at HC8A in 1992, 1998, 2000 and 2008.

Smith's eight wins are the most in the history of CQ WW SSB, giving him the edge over Jim Neiger N6TJ, who has recorded five SSB victories.

Of course, HC8A, CR2X and 8P5A won't be the only ones battling for position on the bands, as others like Jeff Briggs K1ZM will be ready for anyone to falter.

"While it is not really possible to win the world from VY2 (unless all the other guns in CT3/EA8/P4, CN2 and D4 stay home!), you ***can*** make the low end of the top 10 with a great effort - as evidenced by my experience."

Briggs will be back at his VY2ZM superstation in Canada again this year, where he managed a fourth place World finish in 2008.

"If you make over 5000 qso's with a good multiplier wonders can and do happen!" Briggs told radio-sport.net.

The CQ WW SSB Contest runs 48 hours from 0000z October 24 to 2400z October 25.