Best 160 Contest Ever

KA3DRR called it:

Initial reports suggest 160m CW is 'on' this evening. If you can work the monster wavelength, tonight, is the night. 73 & GL.
http://twitter.com/ka3drr/status/1146016106

Truly 160 was on during this years test. Who'd have thought that I could work 40 countries with 5 watts. I've worked dx on 160 before, but never to this extent. Best contact for me was probably CX6VM and having RW0CWA (I think that is the call) give me several N8?'s before the HP callers took over again. Also heard a very clear JA8ISU about about 0930z, but only one weak JA heard at sunrise. Thanks to all the EU who struggled to pull me through the probably amazing QRM on their end. Great Job! Shout out to W4EF, I heard you call several people Mike and you were LOUD!!!.

Slept 3 hours Saturday morning, 0930 to 1130z and 1030z to 1130z Sunday morning. Hit my goal of 200k right when I had to leave and go take the kids to church (wife had meeting for a class she is teaching, so I had to get them there).

Highlights:

• DX DX DX
• K2 still going strong. Best qrp radio for the money. Second only to the K3.
• Computer didn't lock-up randomly this time.
• Not snacking during contest and limiting sugar intact really helped prevent the sleepies on Friday and Saturday. Throat Coat Tea helped keep the cold at bay.

Things to do better next time:

• Don't miss prime hours. I missed sunset on both Friday and Saturday night. I'm pretty sure I could have had close to 900 qsos and several mults had I not missed these prime time hours. Should have taken Friday afternoon off, but got to pay the bills.
• Not CQing enough, especially on Friday. Made up for it on Saturday. Remember, with an efficient 160m antenna, you are loud with 5 watts (or 4 in my case)

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Congrats to K9AY on the great score, Gary had 47 more q's and 1 less mult. Anytime we in the Midwest break records is a reason to celebrate! Woo Hoo!