The final round of this year’s OM Activity Contest, in which I didn’t miss a single round. I made a few contacts, and then it was over. But it’s not that easy. Why?
Every month, participation in the OM Activity Contest varies, which changes not only the number of attainable contacts but also the multipliers. Propagation conditions also change. Whoever can handle this the best will be the winner. But it also requires technical equipment, experience, and a little luck.
Yaesu FT-1000mp
In the 100W QRO category, most stations probably don’t focus on hunting for multipliers. They try to work every station they hear. I very often use a subvariant of SO2R, known as SO2V. In the gaps between calls, I listen to two frequencies simultaneously. This way, even while operating on a call, I can search for other stations. And when I figure that no one is going to call me, I try to make contact with that station on the other frequency during the next gap. Ideally, after completing the contact, I return to the frequency and continue calling. Sometimes, however, another contester takes over the frequency in the meantime. That is the disadvantage of this mode.
In the QRP category, the strategy is a little different. Based on experience, participants in this category usually know which stations they’ll be able to contact and which ones are more difficult. At the same time, they probably won’t be able to achieve the full number of multipliers, so there’s greater value in focusing on them.
The ionogram showed that signals were being reflected back toward the Earth’s surface at a higher altitude. This was also confirmed by the band, where stations from greater distances (Germany and Poland) were communicating on certain frequencies. At the same time, the OK and OM signals generally did not reach high strength because the signal path was longer. This also helped eliminate some interference, so reception was relatively good.
Map of Europe
I managed to collect twenty multipliers fairly quickly. Among them were some of the more difficult ones. During my second contact with SO2V, however, I lost the frequency and started searching again. Connections are still coming in at a fairly good pace. I also hear Honza OK1MNV on the air, unaware that he was likely the multiplier I’d be missing at the end.
In response to a call, I then switch through several more frequencies. I’m also pleased with the contacts with new stations that I don’t usually work. Even at the very end, contacts are still coming in. In the end, there are 69 contacts, with one multiplier missing: V. Yes, probably OK1MNV.
I used my usual gear: a Yaesu FT-1000MP with INRAD and SDR, an inverted Vee antenna, and 100W of power. I’m looking forward to next year, friends!
