WQ6X RAC's a Dual-OP Operation for Canada Day 2021

Sometimes I get so backed-up with running actual radiosport contest events, that finding time to write it all up (with pictures, screen shots and internet links) becomes a challenge and unavoidably Blog writing takes a secondary priority in the overall scheme of things.  In July, the timing of Canada Day adds to the complexity of things.  We're used to most contest events being held on a weekend; Canada Day is July 1st, with the event beginning at 00:00z (which is 5pm the day before on the left coast).

This year, July 1st was on a Thursday; as such, the radiosport event began at 5pm on Wednesday in California (8pm on the east coast).  Putting a call in to the NX6T team informed me that a Multi-single event was planned running as NO6T from Station 2 at the Radio Ranch in Anza (San Bernardino area of So. California).

These stats give us a breakdown of what made this year's RAC GiG different than those we've run before.

Looking closely, 658 QSOs made on
20-meters is no surprise when the stats show that 17 out of the 24 hours we had an operator on 20. 

Because  we are largely a group of Cw operators, it is no surprise that 56% of the QSOs were on Cw, leaving 44% for Ssb; missing many Ssb multipliers.

 A BiG disappointment for me was the poor turnout on 160 meters.  All too often 160 becomes a Cw only band when in fact 160-Ssb is just a HoT.

With only 24 hours to play and a decent number of operators to run Ssb and Cw, my short operating time-blocks also gave me time to run the RAC contest as WQ6X from Concord.

 

 

 

 

 

Like other contest weekends, the RAC GiG gave yet another opportunity to (if you will) "force
a band opening" on 10-meters.  WQ6X called CQ on 10-meters with only 7th call area SDR receivers allegedly "hearing" us.  Then, out of nowhere a pair of Canadian stations come down the 3-el Long John's 33-degree azimuth pipeline to the N. Northeast; that's what the rotor control box is for - finding that "corridor".

When it was all over it would seem that NO6T took 3rd place to RAC stations (VA3RAC & VE1RAC); hardly a fair comparison.  If WE had had an RAC call we would have worked TWICE their individual scores.  Nevertheless, we took 1st place above every non-Canadian entry; which is worth something.

WQ6X took no awards for this event.  More importantly, I gained the opportunity to test run the current K3/0 connection to WA6TQT (Radio Ranch), paving the way for running the DL-DX RTTY contest the following weekend.

DiD YOU play in the Canada Day RAC Contest?
How many RAC stations DiD YOU work?
Is NO6T in YOUR LoG?

NEWSFLASH - THIS JUST IN:
It LooKs like WQ6X took 1st-place for California (W6);
not bad for just screwing around at the last minute.