[NLRS] UHF Contest history 2005-2007 for W9FZ/R

[Bruce Richardson]

In 2005, 2006, and 2007 I activated the same 8 grids. 4 near
Wausau, WI (44/45/54/55) and 4 near Dodgeville, WI
(42/43/52/53).  There were variations in "conditions" and
activity levels over the 3 years.  (2008 found me in Iowa
having fun.)  3 weeks from now I'll be doing the same 8
grids for 2009.

Year  Score  QSOs  Qpts  Grids  Callsigns
2005  65076  258   1122   58     28
2006  79194  251   1182   67     36
2007  85884  264   1263   68     32

One of the changes over the three years is the rise in 10GHz
activity. More stations attempted with me from more
locations (requiring more time) as the years went by. But
the rewards were Qpts and grids for the time spent.

In many contests, well outfitted fixed stations contact me
on several bands from many/most of my activated grids. For
instance, if K2YAZ contacts me on all bands 222 - 2304 +10g,
that's 6 bands times 8 grids would be 46 QSOs with that one
callsign. (I don't think we've ever swept quite that well
:-) )  It also means 32-80 minutes just pointed his way.

I looked at the callsigns I worked over those three years.

KC9BQA, K2DRH, KA0PQW, K2YAZ, KB9TLV, W9GA, W0GHZ, WB8BZK/R,
N9DG, N9TZL, and N0KP were worked in all three years. N0AKC
(and others) were actually worked all three years when
considering the K9CVC multi-op.

N9AKR, K9CVC, K9AKS/R, K0CJ, KB8U, K9KL, K3SIW, WA9O,
WA0VPJ/R were worked during two of the years.

Worked only once during the three years were:
K8EB, KB9VQC, K8MD, K0SM/R, K0AWU, K0FQA, KF0Q, KO0Z, K9HMB,
KB9PJL, K0PG, KA9UZW, KF9US/R, W9UD, WB9Z, W9OBG, W09S,
W8MIL, W0AMT, W0ZQ/R, W9CDL, WA9KRT, W9RAY, WB9SNR, W9ZIH,
WA0CQG, N0HJZ, N0MK, N9TTX, N0URW, N9UUR, N0VZJ, N0UK/R,
N9ISN, N2BJ, N4PZ, N9OBB, N9TF, KC9GPJ, K9JK/R, KF8QL/R,
K0KFC, and KC0IYT/R.

What if I could work all of those callsigns (and additional
new ones) in the same year? If you are one of those
callsigns, please don't be alarmed if I email you directly
encouraging you to get on for this year's UHF contest. :-)

Admittedly, 250 QSO's occur during the 18 hours that aren't
the middle of the night. That means a QSO about every 4
minutes for the 18 hours.

As you might guess, I'd like to top the 85884 score this
year--if conditions, equipment, Murphy, and activity levels
permit. Ya know, if we work, it helps your score just like
it helps mine. So it's a win-win (assuming score is a
motivator for you).

Take a look at your own UHF scores over the past 5 or so
years. What variations do you see? What varying band
conditions do you remember? What activity level variations
do you remember?  Well, let's all get on the air for the UHF
contest and make this a good one!  And if I've never worked
you from those 8 grids, watch for my rover schedule from the
90th Meridian (Dodgeville and Wausau) and let's add another
callsign to the mix.  Even if you are operating only a
single UHF band, get on the air and give it some exercise.

73
Bruce Richardson W9FZ