IARU 2007 Contest Preview

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

Looking to reverse recent results that have seen the IARU swing decidedly in favor of European stations - and especially those in Hungary in the past few years - operators all over the world will take to the bands this weekend for the 2007 IARU HF World Championships.

Leading the pack of those outside of Europe who hope to turn the tables this year is the #1 operator in the radio-sport.net World Standings, John Crovelli W2GD, who will be running at high rates from his P40W contest location in Aruba.

"This year I'll most likely do single operator CW as P40W," says Crovelli, "but there is still a possibility that I could do a mixed mode entry, still as a single op, using P40HQ and give out the AARC HQ multiplier."

Whatever he does, Crovelli leaves a wide wake, as he continues to chalk up single op wins from Aruba at an unmatched rate.

As for how to outscore the European stations, Crovelli says the IARU format does present a challenge.

"The intercontinental point difference helps, since virtually every QSO is a 3 pointer, but it is difficult to overcome the multiplier advantage that European and Northern Africa stations have, particularly on the lower frequency bands" said Crovelli.

Meanwhile, even before the buildup could begin to the 2007 IARU contest, the ARRL touched off a lot of conversation on the post-contest judging of IARU entries.

In a statement on the www.arrl.org website, the ARRL announced that "Leading competitors should expect their entries to be carefully scrutinized. If exceptional results are claimed, entrants must be prepared to explain how they were achieved."

Without confirming what prompted the warning about cheating, a senior ARRL official told radio-sport.net that "it's reasonable" to think that the statement is related to recent discussions on the cq-contest reflector and in other forums about high scores by certain European stations.

The announcement also said the IARU had asked the ARRL to "devote the necessary resources to maintain a high standard of adjudication." The same ARRL official said that doesn't necessarily mean more money or resources, but would not define exactly how IARU log checking would be stepped up.

In terms of the favorites for this year's IARU, a quick check at the results of recent years shows that to win, you might need to be in Europe, or fairly close by.

Among those trying to step it up a notch will be ZC4LI Steve Hodgson, who finished 8th in the world last year in the single operator high power CW category.

"My main and probably only advantage is my callsign, plus the odd bit of savvy," said Hodgson, who operates the rare ZC4 prefix from the British base areas on Cyprus.

Hodgson says his beams for 10-40 meters are still a bit of a disadvantage when compared to the other top operators. "That doesn't look too bad if you are in a city log, but to compete with the big boys is hard work."

"I do quite a lot of 24 hour contests," says Hodgson, "and my simple strategy usually consists of starting on the highest frequency that is open and working my way down the bands and back up again. If I can get a run going then I will stay with it - if not, then S&P it is."

The third place finisher from the same SOHP CW category won't be making a run this year, as Dan Street K1TO will be on the road and not in front of his radios.

"I love the IARU test in many ways, so I will miss it," said Street. "There is huge activity, particularly in Europe and the rates are a lot of fun."

Last year, Street was #3 in the world and the CW only winner in the US.

"Frankly, (the 2006 IARU) was one of my best efforts and it was a clear #1 in the USA, even beating the multi-ops who could work mults and QSO's on SSB, plus grab spots!" said Street.

Meantime, last year's US low power CW winner also could be out of the money in 2007, as Peter Chamalian W1RM says he's not expecting a repeat because of travel this week.

"I do not intend to put in a full effort," said Chamalian. "Besides, conditions are not at all promising."

Make sure to read more about 2007 IARU Contest Strategy as W1RM reviews his 2006 US win.