I'm in the process of gearing up for the ARRL DX CW Contest. Today I picked up a Cushcraft A3S and began plotting where to place it in the antenna farm. The plan is to put it on a 25 foot mast and aim it at South America. So far, so good. I built the mast today from treated 2X4 lumber and hoisted it up. The antenna is on the ground and hopefully I'll get a chance to raise it as well on Sunday.

One rig I've never had is a Kenwood TS 450- until today! I got a good deal on an excellent condition 450S through ebay. So far, so good. We'll see how it holds up in a contest with my trusty ICOM 765 transmitting nearby during SO2R. I'm not a huge SO2R guy, but I like to have the option.

Just as I was giving up on a the idea of a good opening to Europe, UA3TCJ chimed in to lift my spirits. From that point, about 60 more Europeans went in the log as the sun was rising across Europe. I've never had a run to Europe like that on 160 with 100 watts. I was in the chair from 3 p.m. to about  5 a.m. local. I managed 551 qsos during that time and bagged 38 additional countries to bring the point total to abput 248K. I closed the station down after a QSO with KH6CC at 0947 UTC. I may pad on a little more in the final hour late this afternoon.

I spent three hours in the CQWW 160 CW contest last night after spending time with the family. I managed 228 qsos, 37 sections and 10 DX countries. The rates were good, but there wasn't enough gas in my body to continue past midnight local. I was falling asleep literally while sending exchanges! I'm planning on operating more tonight, I just don't know how much. 

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