Winter Activity Challenge

CW Activity Challenge December 2021 - Results

The 2021 winter challenge got off to a slow start with few stations showing an interest.   Things hotted up towards the end of the month, then slowed again over the holiday period.   In all 17 different callsigns appear in the CW leg, but some of them are from the same operator.   Quite a disappointing number from a DX Association.   It is obvious that the Solar Flux is having an effect with most stations showing QSOs on the 10,12 and 15m bands.   The big surprise to me was 30m where most stations don’t seem to have spent so much time on that band.

The overall winner is Dave GM0LVI with 119, in second place right behind is Iain GM4HBG with 118 different countries in the DXCC list worked. Apologies for the mix up with scores initially, the update from GM0LVI was missed in my spam folder.

 I believe both Dave & Iain run low power, no amplifiers used just skill and long hours in the shack. An incredible effort by both!

 Third place with a late entry (keeping his powder dry) is Drew GM3YOR with 83 Countries.  Drew’s QRZ page says he uses an Elecraft K3 with an ACOM 1000 Amplifier into a Moseley TA-53-M antenna on a 12m Tennamast with dipoles for the low bands.

 Over in the The Hebrides Norman GM4KGK uses a TS-890 (100w), a ground mounted Butternut Vertical for 80-10m and an Inverted-L which is far too short for 160m.   Norman claims a creditable 73 countries.

 Now we have gone into the New Year we begin again with the SSB challenge – same rules apply.   How many different countries in the DXCC List can you work?

73 Tom GM4FDM