[ADXA] DX Marathon

[Michael Reynolds, NO6O]

I read Bob Locher's book, The Complete DX'er some years ago, and later 
read his Year of DX, about the Marathon.  I suppose some, or more, of 
you participate in it.  Based on Bob's story about his experiences, I 
had always thought it was intended for the hams having powerful stations 
and tower antennas.  I have a simple vertical antenna which can't handle 
much power before the SWR goes nuts.  However, about two weeks before 
the end of December last year, I learned that anyone could enter.  I had 
about 65 entities in my log for 2025, and thought I would go ahead and 
enter anyway. I ended up with 76 entities and 25 zones, for 101 points.  
My final contact for the year was China with just a couple of hours to 
spare.  All of my contacts were FT8/4.

I decided to try again this year, using only FT8/4. So far, as we are 
now in the second half of January, I've reached 76 entities and 26 
zones, making my score 102 already!  This is becoming fun now. The 
challenge for me is making the time to get on the air, finding clear 
spots in the spectrum, and watching the propagation.

Michael, NO6O