02/18/2008 | K1IR What a great contest. Despite truly poor high-band conditions, the competition was fierce. It sure looks like there was a 'ceiling' on what was achievable, creating extremely tight races in most categories. In M/S, we were in a dead heat with K1LZ for the entire contest. With the ability to see competitive position updated at five minute intervals on getscores.org, our motivation was driven to its max. We were also aware of other likely M/S teams in the game [W3BGN, K8AZ and KT3Y], who were not posting to getscores, but could potentially be trouncing us. So, we did our best to keep the pressure on for the full 48.

This time, we welcomed K1TWF and WO1N to the team. Both have competitive contesting experience. After coming to the station for their training sessions just a few days before the contest, they were able to dive in and help make a real difference, right away. They drove hard and contributed greatly in bolstering both our runs and multiplier hunting.

Kudos again to W1VE and K1VR, anchoring the run and mult functions,
respectively. Gerry generated Rate when it shouldn't have been possible, and Fred filled in the Mult Chart with all the tough ones - particularly on the low bands.

Here's my summary for this contest: It isn't conditions that make for a great contest. It's competition and participation. As long as we have enough stations trying to win, combined with a large number of stations who want to get on for a few hours and make a few QSOs, we have a formula for a successful contest. We're definitely looking forward to the next 'big one'.


For Team 'IR . . . 73,

Jim -- K1IR