I always enjoy participating in this contest and in years gone past it allowed me add to my DXCC list. This year was a whole other story.......I was only able to contact and hear Canadian and U.S stations only. I came across a VE2 station calling CQ and he sounded like a distant DX station! I was not sure if it was just my station not hearing any Europe stations. I decided to listen in on a few of the big gun U.S station to see who they were contacting. The stations I choose to listen in on were contacting fellow U.S and Canadian stations only. I made 10 or so contacts all on 20m and with 5 watts QRP. My station setup was the Elecraft K3, MFJ 1788 loop antenna on the balcony, N1MM+ logging software and Win4K3 Suit rig control software. Also I use MRP40 CW decoding software for the "machine gun" code senders. I found in this contest the top end code speed was in around 35 wpm so no decoding software was needed. I have not been on the radio much as work has been very busy once again. It was nice to sit down and get on the rig again, I knew it had been a long time away from the radio when I wanted to spot a CW station and I had to actually look and look for the spot button on the rig!
IARU HF World Championship contest
10 July 2016 | by 
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73 from F5PXF, good contest.
Good afternoon Denis, over all it always is one of my fav contests but this year with the low solar cycle it is going to be a challenge for the next few years.
Thanks for stopping by and 73,
Mike
Mike, as you mentioned the low solar cycle showed it ugly head this weekend. I had half a dozen DX contacts, but that was it, the rest where all north american contacts I did hear one east coast US station asking for a GB station to repeat his calllsign.
Look forward to next year.
Good afternoon Dave, I am looking forward to the up coming NAQP CW contest! Making cross boarder contacts will make for a busy contest.
Thanks for stopping by 73
Mike
I agree, N.A. stations were much more prevalent but I was able to make QSOs with several over-seas and S.A. stations. I was not QRP so I’m sure that helped. My badge of pride for the contest is a QSO with Hawaii. Looking forward to the NAQP. Hope to see you in the log, 73.
K8AVJ
Good morning Mike, for sure during a time of low sunspots Hawaii sure is a great contact! Over on this part of the globe with my MDJ 1788 is was just pulling in U.S stations. Hope to work you in the NAQP contest.
73,
Mike