WQ6X GaThers ThoTs AbouT the CQ WPX ConTesT

In preparation for the upcoming 2o26 CQ WPX ("Weird Prefix") Cw contest, some time was spent researching the contest runs I ran during 2o23, 2o24 and 2o25.  Thanks to the 3830Scores website and the CQ WPX website, information was gathered to glean ideas for how to approach yet another dual-OP contest weekend.

The above SOAPBOX comments are from the 2o24 WPX event which I ran solo as NX6T was "dark" that weekend.  In the year BE-4 and AFTER, WQ6X ran as a dual-OP, in both cases taking a 2nd-place for the W6 call area.

Thanks to data collected from 3830 and the WPX websites, I put together the above notes.
The numbers detail the difference(s) between the scores submitted to the 3830 website,
versus what was posted in the CQ WPX website Results.  

As you can see, all three scores above were "dinged" points for QSO logging mistakes,
in one case as much as a 15% reduction in score.  Because the CQ website sent me an LCR
(Log Check Report) for each of those contests, theoretically (at least) I can look at those reports
for noticeable patterns in the logging errors.  Then again, for this year, the goal is to start FRESH.

One thing that will make the 2o26 WPX GiG more effective is the adherence to my favorite
method: Stereo-CW. This of course assumes that I run the contest from the concord location
where I maintain the full array of external audio filters to make it work.  If I am operating from
some location other than Concord, there is no Stereo-CW yet available.  The receive difference
between the two approaches is dramatic; almost depressingly dramatic.

The goal of the 2o26 WPC Cw contest is to assist NX6T towards some sort of high score
(at least for California) while I run QRP from the Ramona QTH, handing out the "Rare" WQ6
prefix.  Despite running QRP, it IS possible to find holes in the radio spectrum to Call CQ. 
How long a frequency can be kept running QRP is another thing altogether.

Bottom-line: the WPX (Weird Prefix) contest is certainly on my Top-10 list of favorite radiosport
events throughout any given year.  Any disadvantages I have running QRP are somewhat offset by
using a relatively desirable callsign - this is one event where using a 1x1 callsign makes absolutely
no sense.

What about YOU?  What are YOUR plans for the WPX Cw contest?

Stay tuned for an upcoming report on how this event actually turned out.