K4TMC CQ WPX SOSB10 LP Unassisted

[Henry Pollock - K4TMC]

CQWW WPX Contest, SSB - 2025

Call: K4TMC

Operator(s): K4TMC

Station: K4TMC

Class: SOSB10 LP

QTH: NC

Operating Time (hrs): 25

Summary:

 Band  QSOs

------------

  160:    0

   80:    0

   40:    0

   20:    0

   15:    0

   10:  418

------------

Total:  418  Prefixes = 346  Total Score = 366,414

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

Comments:

Another unassisted operation from the home with compromised antennas due to
HOA restrictions. The goal was to beat my log score from last year (295/259
=203833), and maybe even approach the 2023 score (502/376 = 470000) from
the Atlantic Beach, NC sand dune. As has been usual for this location, the
RF noise level was again S1-2 to the NE and S, and peaking at S-3 to the
WNW. There were a few times when the noised dropped to S1 on all 3
antennas. That helped to work some really weak signals.

At the start of the contest, there were numerous stations active from the
South and West with some strong signals. Worked (S&P) the band up to 28,600
and finished at 0230 with the band still open, with a 30% increase over
last year’s score at this point. Best catches were a FK8 and VP6. Briefly
heard a RT0, got off a few calls, but he faded away. There were a number of
KH6 and VK heard and worked.  A number of stations were working JA’s but I
could not hear them.

Saturday morning the first weak signals were gurgling up above the
background noise level at 1113. By 1130, the band was opening to S./Gulf
America and W. Africa. First QSO of day was with FM5 at 1132. The band was
slower opening to Europe than last year, even though the SA stations were
working them around 1200. First EU worked was HA8 at 1225. Tried a run at
1244 but after 10 minutes I only picked up a YO2, so back to S&P. Never
heard any northern Europe. As a result I fell behind last year’s score as
the day progressed. The 1700 hour was tough due to some off-and-on pulsing
noise, strongest from the WNW antenna, sounded similar to some of those
over the horizon radars. Finally did a successful run during the 1900 hour,
not a great rate (33/hr), but picked up some good mults, including 2 KL7s.
Later in the day did a few more short runs that were slightly successful.
Finally bagged that RT0 that I missed Friday night; he was much stronger
this time. I was also happy to find and work 2 JAs. At the end of the night
my QSO total was 6.5% less than the same time last year. The good news was
that my score was at 64% of last year, thus giving me hope that if the band
was better on Sunday, I may exceed last year’s score. So, I went to bed
with visions of my log filling up lots of prefixes starting with DL, G, SP,
F, etc.

Up at 1020 Sunday morning and found D4 booming in for a few minutes around
1040. Sadly, no others were found. Then around 1100, CW5, PT5 and CN3
starting making it above the noise. Worked the first European at 1108, LZ4.
The band improved over Saturday  covering most of Europe, however, it was
tough to get a good run going, so it was almost all S&P. I passed last
year’s QSO total at 1339, and last year’s score at 1413. I signed into the
Contest Scoreboard and saw that I had some competition that was gaining on
me, with a lot more mults but less QSOs. After losing 2.5 hours of BIC to
attend church services, I fell behind and played catch-up the rest of the
day, but fell short at the end.  Best catch of the day was 8R1, when the
noise level was S1.

Unable to associate any signals with the partial solar eclipse across Zones
2 & 40 Saturday morning, unless that is what caused the black hole between
N. Europe and N. America on Saturday.

Overall, this was a fun effort and the competition helped keep me in the
chair longer than usual. I continue to be in awe of how well the old (#98)
K3+ and Heil mic combination when it comes to breaking through pileups and
working the weakest signals. If I can make it back to the beach, I hope to
do the IOTA and US Islands QSO Party this summer.

73,

Henry – K4TMC

Rig: Elecraft K3+ with Heil HC4 mic element

Antennas: 3 MFJ-1890 Moxons at 26 ft in home attic oriented to NE, S/CA and
WNW