***Announcement for CQ WPX CW 2012

In 2012, V26E will again operate from the V26B site, this year from 23May-30May, including a SO(A)AB LP entry in WPX CW. Low bands/WARC before/after the contest, as well as RTTY, which will be attempted for the first time.

After an 11 year absence, I returned to activate V26E for the 2010 WPX CW contest as SOAB HP! After a few antenna and equipment problems, I was active on the air from Thursday May 27 through Sunday May 30, 2010**. A family emergency cut my trip short, having to pack up Sunday morning and then heading to the airport.

***2011 Update: I returned to operate the WPX CW contest for 2011, which was the last full weekend of May. I was on the island from 24May-31May. About 1000 QSOs were made on the WARC bands, and almost 2000 in the WPX contest. The logs were uploaded to LoTW on 1Jun11, and I see already I have several hundred new matches, and now have DXCC from V2. Having just returned since May 2010, it was a lot more comfortable this time, more relaxing, and everything went relatively smoothly (except the unforeseen problem with the 2 amplifiers there as well as problems with the 40m stack). At the last minute we went (A)LP category for the WPX contest, which proved to be a winning strategy (final results were #2 World for SO(A)LP category, and #1 North America, #1 Antigua).

As usual, QSL direct via AB2E for any and all operations from 1993 to present. Be sure to include an SASE, 2 green stamps, or new IRC, or you won't get a card. Sorry, no buro cards at this time, and no eQSL. As of June 1, 2011, all logs from all V26E operations (including 2011 WPX CW) have been uploaded to LoTW as well. Note that postage rates went up in the US for all overseas mail as of January 1, 2012.

**2010 trip update. Murphy struck the dxpedition. I wound up with about 4 Meg points for the WPX CW contest 2010. About 1500Qs in the contest, and only about 200Qs outside of the contest.

2010 WPX CW final results - V26E 3,861,788 - #1 Antigua, #10 North America Class: SOAB HP

2011 WPX CW final results - V26E 4,872,526 (1732QSOs, 766 mults) #1 Antigua, #1 North America, #2 World, SO(A)AB LP

Thanks to my host V21N Roy Carty, who oversees the property and helps make our trips to V2 a memorable radio experience!

73 Darrell V26E (AB2E)