First big test of the 20m yagi as part of OP0HQ in the CQWPX CW contest

The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and it tasted great.

The first major test of my 20-meter station lived up to expectations. With 2,352 unique contacts on the 20m band, it made a significant contribution to the OP0HQ multi-multi distributed score, to the extent that we can now claim a new European record as a group.

The ability to power-split using the wire antenna also proved beneficial in a number of cases, although its impact is negligible when viewed against the total score.

With the 20m team ON5ZO/ON7GLF/OT1A, we certainly could not complain about operator quality, despite the fact that this was the visitors’ first experience with FlexRadio.
Here, I must plead guilty: because the radio was still running software that was six years old, combined with the unfamiliarity of the CW bugs, the radio crashed several times and valuable time was lost.
Mea culpa. The latest version of Flex software is now running on my 6400.

On top of that, we lost an hour due to nearby thunderstorms, which caused heavy QRN and forced us to lower the mast and completely shut down the station. A score of 2,400 QSOs was therefore definitely within reach.

I am very pleased that the Momobeam antenna performed exactly as expected.

The next appointment is during the WWA Sprint Week as OP0WWA, and of course during the HF IARU Championships as OP0HQ.

It is also interesting to compare with other major stations, preferably those that are known for operating within the rules and not relying on excessive power. 

Below are the signal strengths of DR1A, LX7I, and OP0HQ@OT1A on the second day of the contest, as observed toward the USA.

It is noticeable that all three stations are closely matched. However, as I rotate toward the east during the day, DR1A remains stronger toward the USA, which suggests power-splitting across their famous stacked Yagi arrays. 

In a single direction, I certainly did not have to concede anything, but with their multiple antenna systems they are naturally—and rightly so, considering all their investment and effort—stronger in an omnidirectional sense.

First place 2026 UBA DX CW contest 12h lower power

It has been since 2007 — almost 20 years, for heaven’s sake — that I last achieved a first-place finish in the UBA DX Contest.

To be fair, I should add that it is also the first time in 20 years that I have actually set aside a few hours to take part seriously.

For me, the UBA Contest has always been a stepping stone between entry-level contests such as the ON Spring and Autumn Contests and the more serious international competition. I felt it wasn't really fair to keep winning prizes in this contest year after year and never give newcomers the opportunity to experience the feeling of winning themselves.

This year was also a test to see what I could achieve with a wire antenna running low power. However, I must honestly admit that the multipliers on 10 meters with the 5-element Yagi made the difference.

For the 2027 edition, I would also like to find out what the wire antenna / 20-meter Yagi combination can contribute to the final result.

Still, I’m pleased to have been rewarded once again for 12 hours of Morse code.