BLASTS fromf the Past: The WPX Weird Prefix Cw Contest

In preparation for the WPX Cw contest at the end of this month, I took a look back at the WPX GiGs I've been a part of in the last 10 years; both Ssb and Cw.  Back in September of last year I wrote a "Blast from the Past" post about Blasts from the past ([CLICK HERE] to read that), yet somehow
the WPX contest was overlooked.  This BLOG Entry is the first of two entries to remedy that oversight.

Since 2010, i have teamed up in some way with the NX6T team in Fallbrook, altho some years
we used my WQ6 callsign instead of the NX6 callsign.  Using WQ6X has entered my callsign into thousands of logs worldwide, making for easier callsign recognition of WQ6X in future logs
of future contests.  This is what happened:

• [x] - 2010 WPX: #2 in W6 & #9 in NA
• [x] - 2011 WPX: #4 in W6 & #8 in NA
• [x] - 2012 WPX: #1 in W6 & #6 in NA
• [x] - 2013 WPX: WQ6X does WPX-Cw as a Multi-2 - despite K-Index of 5
          #3 in W6 & #10 in NA
• [x] - 2014 WPX: WQ6X Sets new WPX all-time high W6 Multi-2 record
          #1 in W6 & #7 in NA
• [x] - 2015 WPX: WQ6X @ Fallbrook unleashes new contesting tools
• [x] - 2016 WPX: WQ6X makes a notable appearance in WPX Cw
• [x] - 2017 WPX: 2017 Weird Prefix Contest is weirder than ever
          #1 in W6 & #3 in NA
• [x] - 2018 WPX: WQ6X Double-OPs CQ WPX Contest
          #2 in W6 & #9 in NA
• [x] - 2019 WPX: WQ6X Dual-OPS another WPX-Cw Contest
          #1 in W6 & #9 in NA

One of the CooL features of WPX GiGs is the variety of wildly different prefixes that come on the
air [seemingly] just for the WPX contest weekend itself.  In several of the above-listed Blog entries,
I listed some of the wilder prefixes encountered in those events.

While our operations have resulted in any #1 worldwide wins, as you can see,

we have made our West coast presence a force to be reckoned with.

 

For the 2020 GiG look for NX6T to cobble together some top-notch Cw operators pulling-off our

best WPX-Cw win ever; then again, we can also "look forward" to increased competition worldwide

as operators join us for this GiG who haven't previously been able to find the time.

In preparation for this coming weekend, this last weekend the WQ6X portable operation @W7AYT was dismantled and reconfigured in a larger room (next door to the old room).  Surprisingly, the MFJ 949E tuner settings noticeably changed from rerouting the feedlines in a different configuration. 

The K3/0 remote is now more easily accessible; exporting the audio to the on-site external audio filters works more effectively than earlier configurations.

 

For this upcoming weekend I expect to be implementing a recently renovated MFJ 784 DSP filter

at the W7AYT location.  I test configure all outboard filters in Alameda before they are sent to the Concord location for actual use.

 

LooK for BOTH NX6T and WQ6X callsigns to be on the air this coming weekend.  While I don't expect WQ6X to win any major awards from this operation, I will at least have all the operating time I could ever want during a 48 hour period.  I expect NX6T to put 3,000+ QSOs in the 2020 log; let's see how it actually turns out.

 

Do YOU play in the WPX Cw contest?

Is WQ6X and/or NX6T in YOUR logs?

 

Can we look forward to working You THIS coming weekend?