Counting Grids and Mapping - as Worked from EN39

I went through my list of grids that I made for working on my VUCC Award, from EN39. The way I did it was I started at the first year in my logs (all paper) when I operated there and wrote down all the grids I worked as I went along. It got to be a pretty big challenge once I hit the fourth year as I had quite a few grids to cross-check!

After I made the list I took a blank grid map and started marking all the grids with a piece of masking tape (my usual method). Apparently, I couldn't read my own writing because I had 9 dupes or mis-marked grids.

Anyhow, here's the map and the list:



I couldn't get DO33 on the map (it doesn't go that high) so other than that one, the rest are good.



The grids with an X are ones I replaced with more current QSO's as I went through, ones blocked out are dupes. Again, I didn't work the rigs while I was there in 2005 and 2006 so that's why those years aren't there. Also, the number circled on the right (last column) is my total - 131 grids! Not too bad.

I know, this is sub-modern technology! But it is fun to sit there at the rig after a run of QSO's and go back through the log marking grids. The computer will do it automatically, but this is the old school method! Now I can keep adding to my map in coming years.

In the past I have always run one map for the year, but I never had a running total of all years until now. This will come in handy!

VHF's Most Wanted Grids

If you are a serious VHF'er, or just like chasing those grids, you will find this page pretty interesting - Most Wanted Grid Survey by Bill W5WVO and Kevin W9GKA.

It is a PDF. Scroll down the page a bit to the map. It shows the most wanted 24 grids in varying shades of yellow/orange corresponding to how rare they are.

Get a look at CM79 and read the stats! That looks like a fun one for a grid DXPidition. I checked it out - it is only about a mile off of a road that passes by, though the terrain is pretty rugged and gear would have to be hiked in. That would really fun - go on a backpacking/camping trip there for a few days with a rig and a couple beam antennas (6 and 2m). Oh yea! Though I think the likelihood of that happening right now is extremely slim...