WQ6X Waxes and Wanders Wondrously thru 2o26 Radiosport

As we slide thru the middle of July, looking back to January 1st through the myriads of 60 all-different radiosport events that in some way involved the WQ6Xcallsign, I am amazed by the operating results accrued from all those near-unique contest events. 

Because I don't run FT4/FT8 and use VHF only for repeater access, we can break all contest operating down into 3 overall categories:

• CW Contests (my overall Favorite).
• RTTY Contests (my 2nd Favorite).
• SSB Contests (often FUN yet can become quite tedious in DX contests).

CW Contests

CW contests (especially when running remote) have numerous advantages.  To begin with, Cw contests are largely run by computer., sparing my voice.  Because the Cw code is sent from the remote side of the connection, brief internet dropouts don't disrupt the logging software from properly keying the radio

To make it work properly, after setting up a new contest under N1MM+ the function key macros are customized for this contest event and then saved in the function key macro folder, to be automatically invoked next year when a new run of this contest is setup under the software.

Properly run, Cw contests enable me to slip into a sort-of meditative contest flow.  Often during such a flow, I can switch to various screens on the computer, checking things such as Space-WX anomalies or recent RBN stats.  Doing this helps reduce what I call ACB (Acute Contest Boredumb) syndrome.

RTTY Contests

RTTY contests are somewhat similar to Cw GiGs in that they can be largely computer-run and my voice is again saved.  During remote runs to Ramona (KN6NBT) or Anza (WA6TQT) because they are technically not RTTY equipped on the remote side of the connection, the RTTY tones must be generated on the control-side of the radio connection.  Internet disruption while transmitting RTTY tones will garble the message.

When a contest sends a fixed exchange of information (such as that sent in the NAQP RTTY contest), before the contest those messages are pre-loaded in the remote K3 radio's Voice Keyer memories with the proper RTTY tones to call CQ, send an exchange, send a TU message and send the WQ6X callsign.  Running the contest is largely a function of function keys.  Other macro messages are sent "live" and are subject to internet jitter.

RTTY decoding on the control side of the connection is accurate to the degree that the data coming down the "internet pipeline" is jitter-free.  Utilizing a 2nd RTTY demodulator is of no value when the data has been corrupted enroute to the control site during transfer.

SSB Contests

Ssb contests are a mixed-bag overall.  More than any other mode, running Ssb remotely relies
heavily on the remote side of the connection.  When utilizing voice memories on RTTY or Ssb,
the initial recording must be jitter-free.  My issue with Ssb contests largely involves worldwide (DX) contests where English is often people's 2nd or 3rd language.  All too often the least understandable voices tend to speak way too fast.  Operators need to dial it back a bit and speak S-L-O-W-L-Y. 
I have much the same issue with Cw operators (mostly European) who think that 35+ wpm is
the way to run a frequency and then wonder why very few stations come back to their CQ's.

Domestic Ssb contests (such as NAQP, Sweepstakes or state QSO parties) can be a lot of fun because we are often working stations who are likely known to us and who can be reasonably understood, unless the Southern Twang makes that difficult.  Assuming the Space-WX factors are compatible with running QRP, I dial the power down to 4.9 watts.  This works reasonably well during Sweepstakes and NAQP Ssb contests in particular, but also in many state QSO parties.

DX ConTesTs

Throughout the 1st-half of 2o26 there were a variety of so-called DX contests - some more involved than others.  The ARRL DX and CQ WPX contests are both 48-hour events, even tho I rarely work anywhere near all 48-hours.  I put in many hours for NX6T (running from Anza) in these contests in conjunction with running as WQ6X single-OP QRP from the Ramona location, altho if band condx.
are not conducive to QRP, the power is pumped to about 95-watts.

While not specifically stated in their name, the WPX contests are truly worldwide DX contests.

Running single-OP, there is a variety of barely 24-hour Gigs such as the CQM, the CQMM,

the ARI Dx contest, the King of Spain (K-o-S) contest and the Marconi Memorial to mention
only a few.

State and Area QSO Parties

In the 1st 6 months, there were various state and area QSO party GiGs.  It is through these contest
events that we can work the numerous counties and provinces needed for various operating awards.
NX6T has taken 1st-place in the NEQP for BOTH 2o25 and 2o26, while WQ6X has taken 1st-place running mixed-mode QRP in the 7QP QSO party for those years (while putting in numerous hours
for NX6T in NEQP).

Running Multi-OP Radiosport

In addition to running Single-OP modes from Ramona (and sometimes Anza), during key contests
I join team members from the San Diego Contest Club (SDCC).  Running as NX6T usually happens from WA6TQT's superstation in Anza.  With the exception of NAQP GiGs (which are 100-watts max.) the team tends to run just under 1.5Kw into the wide array of stacked array antennas and vertical arrays for 80 & 160 meters.

Major contests run as NX6T include NAQP (Cw and Ssb), ARRL DX (Cw & Ssb), WPX (Ssb and Cw), All Asian (Cw and Ssb) and of course Sweepstakes (both modes).  We used to run 160-meters contests as a team, altho in recent years I have run the 160-GiGs as an assisted Single-OP.

In previous years, NX6T has taken 1st-place in the JIDX and All Asian contests. 
As you can see from the above collage, the JIDX contest committee has labeled us
the TOP MoP.

Have you worked some of the above radiosport contest GiGs?

IS NX6T or WQ6X in YOUR LoG?