2011 challenge of 365 HF contacts

**M0TZO** · Mon 29th Nov 2010, 22:11

Just been chatting with someone about the idea of doing a challenge for myself on HF of making 365 contacts in 2011.

I've had a few thoughts.

The basic idea is work 1 contact a day 50Mhz down, any band or mode.

Only the 1st QSO each day will count.

If I work a station later in the day after the 1st contact I can work them another day.

Thoughts?

Additional thought from friend:- What if I am ill, drunk, hungover, working, away from home, abroad, etc?? How can I carry on in them circumstances??

**M0TTB** · Mon 29th Nov 2010, 23:14

So basically the aim is to work at least one station on HF every day next year? Ambitious, and I reckon it could end up a chore rather than a fun challenge. With the best will in the world, you are probably going to miss a few days, and if that day comes early on in the year?
I'd think up another challenge where you'll not be under pressure to get on the radio every single day...maybe a weekly or monthly target of qso's on different bands or working different dxcc?

cheers,
Andy

**K7KBN** · Mon 29th Nov 2010, 23:27

Not an impossible task if your goal is 365 contacts, but I'd make it 365 TOTAL, and not worry about getting on the air every day.

For example, get on the air just after midnight local time on January 1, 2011. Listen for (or send) "CQ SKN". That will be the ARRL's "Straight Key Night" party; it's not a contest. You could probably make several contacts there - probably not all 365, though - and then you would have the next day to recuperate. I'd be surprised if you couldn't make 365 contacts in a month. I've done it in 24 hours in some contests.

**M6NKA** · Tue 30th Nov 2010, 09:22

Originally Posted by M0TZO

What if I am ill, drunk, hungover, working, away from home, abroad, etc?? How can I carry on in them circumstances??

Hi,

You have full licence so you can operate your station remotely. To keep it fun in this case why not use an iPhone(or insert favourite phone) app to control your station remotely ? Not sure if such application exist, but if not would not be a big challenge to code. So even if you are at a party or abroad, you can make your contact, i guess will be fun for other to watch you do it.

BR

**m0bov** · Tue 30th Nov 2010, 12:04

Bonus point if you work a station whilst drunk?

**G6NHU** · Tue 30th Nov 2010, 12:42

Not wanting to hijack the thread but those who follow the Martello Tower Group (G0PKT) Twitter account will know that this is something I've already planned and am going to do for next year although I'm not limiting myself to HF and I am allowed to work the same station more than once! I was going to start a thread here about this closer to 2011 but this is as good a point as any to announce it

I've already said that if I'm working away from home or on holiday then that day will be exempt.

I set up a blog a couple of weeks ago to follow my progress and it can be seen here: http://www.qso365.co.uk