As I enter my 44th year of enjoying the DX contests I have to tell you this was one of the tougher ones.  We had a mild fall and winter in Virginia that allowed me more time up the tower and in the trees to focus on antennas more than ever before I had 80 meter bobtail curtain ready for Europe and a delta quad for 40, and if any electron escaped it would be picked up by a Pro 57B yagi.  The low loss coax was strung, the rig was readied with an improved SDR receiver.  With sunspots on the rise I hoped to be very competitive in the QRP CW class.  Well, that did not exactly happen as planned. Three letters SFI contributed to a tough weekend. After a good start on QRP it quickly became apparent that I was unable to close the deal at 5 watts. Several hours later of zero completed QSOs on 80, and being buried on 40 I decided to push the big red button – you the one – 100 watts.   Things greatly improved, contacts were flowing in the log despite testing the patience of many as I had to repeat my report.  I never called CQ, relying on search and pounce techniques.  My QRP boots on the band knowledge paid off as I logged the majority of my QSOs above 7.050, 14.060-14.100 and 21.060 – 21.122. 

So—let’s hope we’re done with solar flares and SFI over 105 and a few other celestial kitchen sinks.

73s and see you in the phone contest!

K4WY