WQ6X Reflects (here and there) on IARU: from Donuts to Dual-OP

I tend to think of the IARU Hf Championship GiGs as the mid-Summer Dx contest; sort of
a cross between the late-Winter ARRL Dx contest and the mid-Autumn CQ W.W. contest GiGs.

While I always bemoan this event's relatively short 24-hour OP-time (the ARRL & CQ GiGs are a FULL 48 hours) the IARU GiG is certainly am exciting challenge.  There are No 2nd-chances in the IARU GiG; if a band-opening is missed, we can't "pick it up tomorrow" - there IS No Tomorrow in this contest - 24 hours is all we get.

As I said in the IARU Blast-from-the-Past Blog, while I miss the stop at Randy's Donuts enroute
to Fallbrook, I DON'T miss the drive.  Running Dual-OP from Concord affords me more operating opportunities.  Now, if Randy's Donuts can deliver some of their delicacies via FEDEX or Amazon,
I will have the best of ALL THREE worlds.

While NX6T took a pair of 1st-places last year, because we are STILL in the bottom-dregs of the
solar sunspot cycle, it is expected that we will be relying on the lower amateur bands (160 - 80 - 40 & 20) as we did last year; any 15 & 10 meter QSOs will be BONUS points, relative to the overall GiG.
([CLICK HERE] to read the write up on last year's operation.)

The IARU contest is somewhat unique in that it is a multi-mode contest.  When running as a single-OP (aka WQ6X), I have the choice of running Cw only, Ssb only, or Mixed-mode (same as the ARRL 10-Meter contest).  Multi-OP setups are considered mixed-mode, no matter what modes are used.

Last year, altho the 8JK was different than it is now, amazingly, European QSOs made it to the WQ6X log; not an easy accomplishment from such a Dx-Vortex location.  In general, last years' IARU GiG was loaded with surprises.  Always a surprise is when odd-ball IARU zones are activated at the last moment, with virtual no advance-warning.  It is for this reason alone that operators should stick it out on each band. 

If your antenna(s) are rotatable, put on your listening-ears and LooK for those illusive Zones; and even (horror of horrors) call CQ once in awhile.  You might be pleasantly greeted with calls from some of those illusive zones; it has happened to me MANY times.  To make your job easier (and less voice-taxing), use a voice keyer, or even a digital / tape player.

For now, it's bedtime - I am due to join Dan (N6ERD) for the 12:00z (5am) starting shift. 
What about You?  Do YOU ever play in the IARU Hf Championship?  If NoT, WHY Knot?