ARRL Centennial QSO Party

The ARRL was celebrating its 100 year centennial during 2014 by having a Year long QSO party.They had both W1AW headquarters and mobile/portable operations in all 50 States and Territories plus a Centennial points challenge utilizing every member of the ARRL organization from President right down to Us little guys! I was only worth 1 point as a member whereas the ARRL President was worth 300 points for each band and mode contacted during the Year and other Life members,Voluteer Examiners,Section Managers and so on were worth points between 1-300.W1AW also counted towards points too plus the chance for a WAS certificate contacting each state.
I heard some chatter about this Centennial before it started but didn't pay much attention. The first part of 2014 I only participated in several contests and not much other on air activity. It wasn't until October after several contests I saw some more information on the ARRL website and realized I had already reached the 1000 point level to qualify for a 1st level certificate. If I could obtain 2000 more points I would reach the 2nd level at 3000 and maybe even 7500 points for a 3rd level certificate. I could also chase the W1AW stations of which I had contacted a few but would not have a chance at WAS since some states were already done with their activity for the year.
Reading up on the Centennial rules I noticed several extra activity days ahead where all ARRL staff and members were encouraged to operate and decided to try and reach a goal of 7500 points which at this late stage of the Year I doubted I'd achieve. I started watching the Clusters and listening on the bands for Centennial and W1AW activity. This became a nightly ritual and one I really enjoyed. I didn't spend more than an hour a night but I usually managed 100 points or more. The end of October I was at 2081 points and a month later I had 6810 points after November sweepstakes and Centennial points chasing most nights. The ARRL 10m contest and Canadian RAC contest were still ahead plus a promoted ARRL staff participation day on December 31st.
By December 20th I had 8715 points so I had reached My goal of 7500 points and then some! The 3rd level was assured and I actually gave it a good try of reaching the 4th level at 15000 points but fell short-- oh well! I ended up with 11,141 and 25 states with W1AW contacted-plus several territories and W1AW100HQ !! What a hoot! This was absolutely fun to the max.It felt like a constant contest and I actually felt like a big gun participating in it. My little station performed very well and conditions helped out tremendously. The solar flux and sunspot activity was at elevated levels.During many pile ups ,I was able to break thru with the first call using My ground mounted vertical at 100w output. It seemed like a pipe line to the midwest. Lots of actual "great signal" comments from the other end of pile ups.
It was fun to have QSO's with ARRL staff I normally never hear and It was cool to hear the stateside pile ups.I think most comments from participants indicated it was a positive experience. I added WAS for both SSB and digital and I'm now very close to WAS on several bands. Since the Centennial is over I have noticed My on air time is again back to pre centennial levels-- but I plan to participate in more contests this winter than last year.
The centennial from My perspective was a great success and alot of fun. I miss the anticipation of finding and chasing different calls around the bands. Seeing the points totals add up and feeling a certain comradre with all the participants.I won't be around for the next centennial. Wonder what Ham radio will be like then??
73---Tim

73---Tim