CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW

Call: VP9I

Operator(s): WA4PGM

Station: VP9GE

Class: SOSB/160 LP

QTH: Bermuda

Operating Time (hrs): 17

Band QSOs Zones Countries

160: 697 12 51

Total Score = 92,421

Club: Potomac Valley Radio Club

This trip was very special for me as I took my mom (N0DBJ) along for her first trip outside the United States. I decided I would do 160 meters and that would allow her to operate SSB during the day. We arrived on Wednesday afternoon with weather rainy and moderate winds but that didn't stop us from touring the island. The bus transportation in Bermuda is wonderful. Thursday we went to the Dockyard and took in everything and ended our visit with lunch at the Frog and Onion Pub. After which we took the ferry to St. George's for a short tour.

Friday we visited the Aquarium and Zoo and had a outstanding time seeing all the marine life and exotic animals. Saturday back to St.Georges for a longer tour and to watch the Town Cryer pass sentence on a lady that had been accused of being a nag. Her punishment was to dunked in the water 7 times, this was quite amusing for everyone as the town's people really put on a good show. We had lunch with our neighbors at the Whitehorse Pub and shopped for goodies to bring back home. Sunday, Ed VP9GE asked if we'd like to take in the Christmas Parade in downtown Hamilton. All though the parade was spoiled by rain we got to see a lot of the local people and the Gombey dancers. Now it's Monday morning and we're start packing soon for our return trip home. The weather the past few days has been beautiful and we both would like to stay through the winter. Mom has been on the air mostly 20 meters and has had a ball being DX. She can't get over the pileups each day and it will surely be a Unforgettable moments.

Now to the contest, while looking through the World and North America records I noticed my friend N0KE had set the 160 LP Record as TE1W so I decided to take on the challenge. By 0500z I had made 350 Qs and well on my way of possibly capturing the record. I took a break at 0800z and was only 2k under the record, by 1200z the record had been broken but I was along ways from the World Record.

When RN3OK called they were so LOUD I thought surely he had to be N3OK but no when hearing Zone 16 as the report I knew it wasn't. Turned out from a email I received this station was actually in W2 but still gave me zone 16 as the exchange and never signed /W2. First night results was 484/11/34 and I knew it was going to be a long second half. I overslept the second night missing sunrise and surely could have picked up a few more mults.

All in all I'm pleased with the effort and most thankful to our host and friend VP9GE for his gracious hospitality. Anyone that has been here knows what I'm talking about and if you haven't be sure to plan your trip to Bermuda.

Thanks to everyone for the contacts. I worked KB7Q in Montana this trip and that completed my 160 WAS from VP9. Montana was the only state I missed in the 2006 CQ160, speaking of which I'll be back for the 2007 CQ160 and hope to make contacts with everyone again. Well have to pack as we have a long day of travel ahead and it's back to work early tomorrow. I hope this came out ok as I'm tired and notepad seemed to add blank spaces.

73,

Kyle

VP9I

VP9/WA4PGM

and 73/88's from VP9/N0DBJ