Review of 2006
During 2006, I made a total of 687 radio contacts as M0BLF and M0BLF/P. A total of 60 countries were contacted, including 57 on speech-based modes, and 38 using Morse Code. I also made a handful of data-mode contacts. As expected during the bottom of the solar cycle, most contacts were on the 14MHz band (426). A full band and DXCC breakdown is below. During the year, VU/L (Lakshadweep Is.), 3X (Guinea) and HZ (Saudi Arabia) were new DXCC entities for me. Sadly I missed Peter I when it was on last winter.
I also participated in the IRTS, ARRL DX CW, ARRL DX SSB, RDXC, VHF National Field Day, IARU DX, CQ WW SSB and CQ WW CW contests, many of which were from M4A.
Looking into 2007, the main highlight for me should be the launch of the new IOTA software, which I have been writing for the Radio Society of Great Britain for the last 3 years now. We also have the new relaxed rules to get used to - listen out for my first QSOs with the new /A suffix while I'm at my term-time address in Birmingham.
2006 DXCC Breakdown:
3.5MHz: 17 QSOs in 10 DXCCs
7 MHz: 99 QSOs in 24 DXCCs
14MHz: 426 QSOs in 52 DXCCs
18MHz: 1 QSO in 1 DXCC
21MHz: 79 QSOs in 29 DXCCs
28MHz: 30 QSOs in 14 DXCCs
Plus a further 35 VHF QSOs.