2007 WAE DX CW Contest Preview

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

A week after European contesters did battle in the EU HF Championships, now Europe will be the worldwide focus for contesting in the WAE CW.

The defending overall champion is Steve Hodgson ZC4LI, who beat the entire world from his QTH in the UK bases on Cyprus, as he racked up 1.78 million points to win the single operator division, beaten only by multi-op KC1XX.

Hodgson spent the most time on 20 meters, which may be where the battle is joined this year as well because of existing solar conditions.

Back for another big effort from the US this year will be Rich DiDonna NN3W, who will again operate from N3HBX outside Washington, D.C.

"The key to WAE (if you're serious) is balancing your low band operating time with off times," said DiDonna. "Multipliers are weighted in this contest with a country multiplier on 80 meters worth double what a country mult on 10, 15 or 20 meters is worth."

"I'm praying for a 10 meter opening like last year," said DiDonna, "but unfortunately with the SFI barely above 70, I'm not counting on it."

Last year's winner in Canada, Jeff Briggs K1ZM/VY2ZM will be back on Prince Edward Island again this year, as will Mark Bailey KD4D, who finished just behind Briggs. Bailey will be sporting his new call VY2MT.

"VY2/KD4D was the most busted callsign in WAE a few years ago," said Bailey. "The shorter call should be worth a few points." But Bailey feels "it is almost impossible to win WAE from the US or Canada."

"A W/VE station is hard-pressed to win for the World in this contest," says Briggs VY2ZM, "although a US or VE station can usually place in the top 10 or top 5 in a good year."

Briggs' strategy is pretty simple since one only has to work Europe. "You work the highest band that is runnable and must ensure to work all the mults you can on 40 and 80 meters during the hours of European darkness."

One thing that is different about this contest is the use of QTC's. "Some like them, home hate them," says DiDonna NN3W. "Remember, a QTC has as much point value as a QSO. So, don't be afraid of them!"

Briggs K1ZM says they are a strategic issue. "During peak runs it is best probably not to slow down a run and pass QTC's, but you MUST get rid of all or most of them by the end of the test."

The importance of the WAE contests was magnified in recent weeks by the announcement that the results will be used in determining the participants for the 2010 World Radio Team Championships in Russia.

For US and Canadian amateurs, a look at the 2006 results shows that a lot of WRTC points may be available for an entry that is not competitive overall.

For example, WD5K made 200 contacts for a score of 68,614. That was the best low power score in the W5 and W0 call areas, which make up the #3 division in North America for the WRTC. That nets WD5K 511 WRTC qualifying points.

Compare that to Divsion NA #1, where K1XM had to score over 627,000 points to win low power to grab his 511 WRTC points.