Last year my one good strategy was to treat WPX as a domestic contest. From this local it means hitting 40M/80M pretty hard. That said, it is nice to pick up the 6‑pointers (DX QSOs, off-continent) and EU on 40M is quite easy from my station. This year I decided to modify my strategy to capitalize on …
Excited by the possibility of adding to my DX worked totals on 80M during the ARRL DX CW contest a few week-ends ago, I hurriedly installed a new 80M ground plane (GP) antenna. Like the year before, I intended a single-band effort and the new GP was going to be my secret weapon.
Being a vertical aficionado, I lust over manufacturers radial plates popping up. Too rich for my blood, however, at $50 a pop. I read a recent QST Hints and Kinks column where someone decided to use a stainless drain insert and I my mind started racing.