Transcript Litte Pistol

Collected Wisdom and Lessons Learned
for the
Little Pistol
Dan Zeitlin, K2YWE (K3AU)
Revised March 2014
Copyright 2006, 2007,2012, 2014
All rights reserved
Dan Zeitlin, Annapolis, MD
Free use with prior permission
Agenda
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What’s this about?
Who is K2YWE?
Elements of Success
Preparation
Contest Basics (refresher)
Strategy
Station Considerations
Antennas
Software
My favorite Software Features
Operating Tips and “Best Practices”
SO2R
Conclusion
Appendix A - Best Practices Collection
Appendix B – Selected Contest Loggers
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p2
What’s this about?
Ways modest stations can improve their scores
Objective
• Improved Scores for Little Pistols
Intended Audience
• Modest HF stations, especially low power
• BUT - Principles & Tips apply universally
How?
• Make the most with what you have
• Adopt successful operating practices
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p3
Who am I?
Licensed in 1956 . . . always a little pistol
• Licensed 1956 in White Plains, NY
• Mostly CW, very little contesting until 1995
• 1995 Field day with W3LPL, K3MM, and K3RA
•
•
•
•
•
Got “hooked” on contesting, joined PVRC
A few years education at W3LPL MM
Contesting from home since
- Occasional Op at MM stations
Modest 100W home station
Learned from many good Ops
Moderate Success (K2YWE/K3AU)
- Top ten US & World finishes
- Regional firsts
Skip
Results
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p4
Top home station finishes
Some success is possible with a small station
•
•
•
•
•
•
CQ WW 2012
CQ WW 2010
CQ WW 2009
CQ WW 2007
CQ WW 2005
CCQ WW 2002
- 2nd US, 3rd NA, 9th World, 1st 3-Area
- 2nd US, 4rd NA, 5th World, 1st 3-Area
- 8th US
- 2nd US, 1st 3-Area
- 7th US, 1st 3-Area
- 10th US, 1st 3-Area
3.0M
2.1M
1.1M
1.2M
1.0M
1.2M
• ARRL DX 2012 - 2nd W/VE ,1st Atlantic Div, 1st MDC
1.8M
•
0.7M
ARRL DX 2007
- 7th US - Imputed, forgot to send in log!
• ARRL DX 2004 - 8th W/VE
1.6M
• ARRL SS 2012 - 6th W/VE, 1st Atlantic Div, 1st MDC
• ARRL SS 2011 - 8th W/VE, 2nd Atlantic Div, 1st MDC
148K
154K
. . . still lots of room for improvement
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p5
Elements of Little Pistol Success
Same principles that apply to most successful endeavors
• The Right Frame of Mind
• Preparation
• Attention to Detail
• Practice
• Improvement and Learning
• Perseverance
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p6
The Right Frame of Mind
Don’t forget it is a competition
“it's a jungle out there” . . . de N6TR
You will not be alone
“. . . contesting skill includes the ability to tolerate high
levels of QRM, and if you can't do that, you might as well
hang it up.“ . . . de K3ZO
Think Big
“If you think and act like you’re a big dog,
you will convince most of the pack that
QRL!
you are, although you may get bitten
once in a while.” . . . de K2YWE
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p7
Preparation
“Now the general who wins a battle makes many calculations
in his temple ere the battle is fought. The general who loses a
battle makes but few calculations beforehand.” . . . Sun Tzu
• Have a strategy – write it down
Provides baseline guidance
- Try to optimize within your constraints
- Modify as needed in “battle”
• Reassess your strategy during the contest
- Expect to change the details
- Take radical departures only if you have good reason to,
like one or more of your baseline assumptions was wrong
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p8
Preparation
Get your act in order before the performance
• Check your set-up well before the start
- Antennas, Hardware, Software, support files
- Set appropriate software defaults
- Provide enough time for fixing any problems
• Be well rested for the contest
Key
seems to stick!
• Listen day(s) before to get a feel for Condx
• Have a simple means to restart software
- What did I call this file . . .?
- Re-use the same name for the current
contest files. Rename after the contest.
Skip Next Contest Basics
Jump to “Strategy”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p9
Review of Contest Basics
Individual contest rules spell everything out, including scoring
• Rules are published well in advance
• Valid contacts exchange two-way information
- Contest rules define the specific information
31
32
W6IXB 59 59 SCV
W5AFX 59 59 STX
• Final score is composed of two pieces
- QSO points – Based on number of valid contacts
• Points per contact may vary
- Multipliers – Based on a unique characteristic
• Usually location - State, Country, Zone, Grid
- Total Score is QSO points times the Multipliers
Total Score = “Q pts” x “Mults”
- Same stations may provide multiple Qs or Mults
• Contacts on different bands or modes may each count
Skip Contest Basics
Jump to “Strategy”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p10
High Level Thoughts . . .
Some reasoning to frame the problem
• Q’s fuel the engine, Mults provide the turbo boost
- Both are important
•
•
•
•
More Q’s are key to producing higher scores
Operating Time is fixed, thus Rate must go up!
Concentrate on achieving Higher Rates
Rate Drivers
- Being Heard and Hearing others
• At fixed power level, this mainly means better Antennas
- Operating Efficiency - Less wasted time in & between QSOs
• Look to Operating Practices and Shack Arrangement
- Attracting the other stations
• Operating Practices
• Successful Running is part of rate generation
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p11
Strategy
Having a game plan pays off during the contest
• Class Selection
•
•
•
•
- Band(s), modes, assistance, number of Ops, …
- Leverage your strengths
SOA, MUF,
Bands and Modes
S&P, rates,
- Which, when?
snacks . . .
Propagation
- What’s best for Q’s and Mults
ON/OFF times selection
- Time limits
- Meals, sleep, “real life” periods
Operation
- Run vs. S&P
- Rates, Speeds and Timing
Q’s, Mults,
Bones . . .
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p12
Strategy
Remember that maximizing Q’s is primary to success
• Focus on making the most Q’s
- Block out expected S&P and Run times, ground rules
- Balance with periodic short checks for Mults
• Base primarily on expected Propagation
- Range of prediction tools are available
• “Rules of Thumb”
• QST or CQ tables – simplest
• Models – better
- Temper predictions with your own real-time observations
- Gray Line info can help, especially on 160m and 80m
• Allow for time-of-day considerations
- What’s going on outside your area
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p13
ON/OFF Times
Make the best use of your time
• Choose OFF times at lowest expected Q rates
- Base on your own or other stations’ history
- Don’t forget minimum OFF time rules
• Ensure using your full time allotment
• Allow possibility you may want a late slot
- Don’t get caught short of time at the end
- I usually leave a late half-hour insurance slot
- It’s tricky, considering the statement above
• Sync with your personal needs (of course)
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p14
Rates Rules
Setting Rate Rules helps you achieve QSO goals
• Set an average rate you want to achieve
- (Total Q’s) / (Operating Hrs)
• Set minimum rates you’ll accept
- Acceptable rate will vary over the contest period
1,000/24 = 40
1,000/24 = 40
00-04z
60
00-04z
60
04-08z
45
04-08z
45
08-12z
30
08-12z
30
12-16z
40
12-16z
40
16-20z
50
16-20z
50
20-24z
25
20-24z
25
• Include minimum rates in your Strategy
• Make a change if you drop below the Rate
-
Change Freq, Band, Mode
Swap Running and S&P
Chase some Mults
Change your shirt
Change Something !
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p15
Practice
It may not make you perfect, but it will make you better!
• Be thoroughly familiar with your software
-
A contest is not the time for first trial
Gain familiarity in day-to-day use
Exploit helpful features
Use practice programs and modes
Modify settings to suit your style
Contest Hound Practices Win-Test
• Be comfortable with Run techniques
- Practice with a simulator (Morse Runner)
- Try to operate “run style” (5NN MD DAN BK . . . TU)
Pick a day with a good conditions on your best band
- Use the Best Practices mentioned later in this presentation
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p16
Station Improvements
Put method behind your madness
• Assess Station Strengths and Weaknesses
- Take band by band inventory based on performance history
• Attack Weaknesses with biggest payoffs first
- Incrementally fill in the holes
- Expect Antennas to rank high
- Don’t forget to pick “low hanging fruit”
• Assess your Operating Practices
- Bounce your operation against the Best Practices (later)
- Adjust accordingly
• Improved Antennas & Running payoff most
- But every improvement counts – they all add up
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p17
My Experience
Performance improved with incremental changes
• Operation
- Exploited software features (Bandmap, SCP, …)
- Discovered and incrementally adopted Best Practices
- Started Running
• Had assumed not possible for Little Pistol
• Running rates improved with experience
• Learned when and when not to try running
• Station
- Improved antennas – eventually migrated to monobanders
• Not exotic – Delta loop, bent dipole, and lazy U wires
• Added low small triband Yagi* - made a big difference
- Made shack modifications for better operating efficiency . . .
*F12 C3SS (2 el each band) 13m high
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p18
“Better Operating Efficiency”
Ugh!
Life is
Good!
No Help!
Mic Prop
Footswitch & Prop
Boom Mic & Footswitch
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p19
Station Improvements at K2YWE
Improvements aimed at higher rates
• Footswitch
•
•
•
•
- SSB - Frees hands for keyboard use
- CW - Quick T/R transition without listening to QSK noise
Boom or Headset Mic
- Less fatigue, freedom to move, respond to local “QRM”
Antenna Switching
- Quicker band changes. Connector Swap -> Switches -> SixPack
Additional or Improved Antennas
- More chances to sustain Run, snag S&P Q’s with less calls
- More “second tier” QSOs
Rearrangement of Equipment
- More efficient, quicker, easier operation
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p20
Antenna Improvements
Be innovative within your constraints
• What assets exist to hang antennas on?
•
•
•
•
•
Use all the property lines to full advantage
Add/change antenna to help your weakest band
Try to design a system using monobanders
Consider fixed antenna with gain to high QSO area
Enable a new band, like 160m
- New Mults and more Q’s during slow times
• Put up even a minimal Yagi if possible
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p21
K2YWE Antenna Farmette
Squeezed in three wire monobanders and a 12’ boom tribander
40m Inv Delta
40m Delta serves as
160-80m Rx only and
Aux Ant for 20-15-10m
160m “U”
Small tri-bander
at 45’ on an AB-577
“rocket launcher”
K9AY
75’
Force 12
C3SS
(12’ boom 24ft max element)
80m Droopy-End Dipole
125’
Began with Multi-band loop and uneven performance.
Made incremental improvements to fix deficiencies.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p22
Software (S/W)
Use a contest-oriented program and set it up to facilitate high rates
• Use the Radio and Keying interfaces
- Build or buy and integrate them if you haven’t already
- It makes sustaining high rates much more possible
• Recommended S/W Setup (CT keywords SHOWN)
-
WORKDUPES
CORRECT call signs
Super Check Partial
Stop on auto CQ
- BANDMAP & ANNOUNCE Windows
- RATE Window
- SCP Window
- SCORE Window
• Spotting Network?
-
It’s a strategic decision
Can be a valuable asset, especially in S&P
Does not alleviate you from confirming all entries
Be careful not to get caught up in chasing Mults
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p23
Typical Logger Screen
(N1MM)
Contest loggers provide tactical information and control
Skip All but
Bandmap
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p24
Software Features
Most Useful to Me
Skip all All
Detail- Jump to
Best Practics
Skip All but
Bandmap
Rate
(N1MM and CT screens)
QSO Rate provides feedback on how you are doing
• Helps check performance against expectations
– Remember about setting rate goals?
• Aids in making S&P/Run and band decisions
Skip All but
Bandmap
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p26
Check Partial Call
(N1MM screen)
Call fragments yield possible known contester callsigns
Matches callsign fragments against database
created from recent contest logs and current
logged contacts . . . anywhere in the callsign
Skip All but
Bandmap
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p27
Check Partial Call
(N1MM screen)
Call fragments yield possible known contester callsigns
Matches callsign fragments against database
created from recent contest logs and current
logged contacts . . . anywhere in the callsign
Skip All but
Bandmap
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p28
Bandmap
(CT and N1MM screens shown)
The bandmap saves time in Search & Pounce mode
• Shows who is spotted on what frequency, if worked
before, and if needed QSO or multiplier
• Data is entered by hand or
automatically from spots
• Map updates periodically
to expunge stale data
• Useful for Dupe or “check
later,” even if unassisted.
Skip Bandmap
Jump to
SO2R
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p29
Avail Mults & Qs
(N1MM screen)
Available Mults & Qs provides aids in band change decision
• Band-by-band info on number of
new Mults and Qs spotted.
- Supplements propagation info
• “Point and shoot” listing of spots
- Jump to spot if interfaced with radio
Skip Bandmap
Jump to
SO2R
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p30
Tips and Best Practices
“Best Practices” are what successful
competitors say works for them.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p31
Some CW Tips* - CW
Don’t let your code speed keep you from enjoying CW contests
• Do not be intimidated by stations too fast for you to copy.
- Start with the slower stations higher in the band.
- Don't worry if you have to hear a call several times to get it.
- As the contest goes on your will improve!
• Try moving frequency a bit if you can’t seem to be heard.
- Often receiver bandwidths in a crowded band are set very narrow.
- Spotted frequencies put everyone on the same frequency
• Call CQ high in the band at a speed comfortable for you.
• It’s sometimes OK to send QRS
- During Run when you get QRQ response (you can also ignore)
- During S&P when the CQing station has “run dry”
*Some tips are courtesy of the 1999 YCC “Cookbook”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p32
Some Phone Tips
Apply these basic Phone tips for starters
• Use conventional or unmistakable phonetics
- “Duck Soup” are poor phonetics for “D S”
- Use Standard or “Common Use” phonetics (countries, cities . ..)
• Maintain a “friendly sense of urgency”
in your QSOs
- Chattiness will slow your rate and lose you contacts.
• Do not be intimidated by stations talking fast or unintelligibly.
- Firmly ask until you get all the exchange info. Use “again?”
- It is usually better to ask for one piece of missing info at a time.
• Listen to what is on your frequency when working split.
- If you can hear it, you can better time your call or defer until later.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p33
Best Practices Basics* - Overall
Overall
• Every point counts!
- There’s no such thing as “not worthwhile”
- When things are slow, call for “anybody”
• A rule of thumb strategy
-
Work bands that may close first. Move with propagation.
This often means 10-15-20 in a.m. then 40-80-160 later on.
Try running rather than chasing spots when high bands are open.
Go after the Mults when 20 has slowed, but 40 hasn't opened yet.
• Keep multipliers in mind
- “Move” Multipliers if you can do so efficiently
- Have frequencies on each band set up for quick jaunt
- Balance the effect on rate and total score when chasing Mults
*Some of these tips are courtesy of
the 1999 YCC “Cookbook”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p34
Best Practices Basics* - Overall
Overall - continued
• Verify the callsign of the station you're working
- BV6U and 5C8N are not real callsigns (6V6U and HC8N).
Don't log them that way.
• Always HEAR the call the station is signing and log what you hear
You mean
that’s a
busted
call?
*Some of these tips are courtesy of
The Master
Callsign
Data Base
is not the
Bible
the 1999 YCC “Cookbook”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p35
Best Practices Basics - Overall
Overall - continued
• S&P rates can be very high early in the contest
- Everyone is “fresh meat” for you.
- You can quickly hop from station to station with little fear of Dupes.
- You are usually safe to call first and fill-in the call at the QSO end.
• Use early S&P to find a spot to CQ
- You can maintain a high rate while searching for a clear spot.
- It beats the alternative of establishing a frequency before the Test
• Be sure to try CQing late in the contest
- You will be “fresh meat” to many that have been CQing all along.
- They will be seeking to squeeze out the last few QSOs.
• Repeat only what is missing when asked for a fill
- Repeating known parts wastes time and possible “clear times.”
• QRL? . . .
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p36
Do you really want to ask QRL?
“Can anyone honestly believe that there is a single
KHz anywhere in the relevant portion of the 20 meter
band that is NOT in use somewhere in the world
during the CQWW?” . . . de K3ZO
One Approach . . .
Pick a “clear” spot and CQ without “QRL?”
You will only invite others to take the frequency by asking QRL?
You’ll find out quickly if the Freq is in use by calling a short CQ.
This is very controversial. Many hams feel that not asking is rude.
You Decide. Use “QRL?” if you have any doubts or are thin-skinned!
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p37
Best Practices
General
• Use K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE" – modify “twice” as sensible
- If you can't get a station after calling TWICE, move on
- If he doesn't ID after transmitting TWICE, move on
• Don’t waste time repeatedly calling DX that has moderate
Sigs when the band is otherwise quiet from their part of the world
- They are probably “opening the band” with lots of ERP
• Enable and use the band map
in your logging software
- Check for dupes in S&P as well as for new Mults and Q’s
• Insist on fills until you get all the info.
Use “Again?” on phone
- Don’t log the QSO without complete info. “Sorry, No QSO”
• Keep the width of an SSB signal in mind
- Be sure you are far enough from strong stations running not to be
covered by a pileup you can’t hear
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p38
more Best Practices . . .
Running
• Use the widest IF bandwidth you can stand
- Less chance to miss off-freq callers, especially on CW
• Don’t break a run to pull one station through
- Your rate will suffer if you take too long
- You will drive away impatient waiting stations
• Use only a quick ‘Thanks’ if stations are waiting
- They know your call. Don’t waste time on it.
- Throw in your call every few Q’s for newcomers
• Send the full exchange with a partial call
- Nearly all Ops will correct you, good ones without a missing a beat
- Fix the call during his transmission
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p39
more Best Practices . . .
Running
- continued
• Call CQ when bands are dead for the day or worked out
• Call CQ when the band is active if you are able to find a
frequency and hold it
• Always work Dupes (set software to allow)
- You might not be in his log and it’s usually quicker
• If you can't drag a station's call through
after trying TWICE, ignore him and start calling CQ again.
- This is part of K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE." Modify "TWICE" to suit
your station capabilities and contest circumstances.
• Enable call sign correction in your software.
This will send the corrected call as part of your goodbye message
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p40
more Best Practices . . .
Running
- continued
• Speed up if your run is being sustained
This is especially true in contests like SS where the exchange
includes your call sign. Slow back down appropriately
• Hit the SEND key as soon as the call is in your head.
Finish typing in the log during the automated response or while talking
- Some programs can do this automatically after n characters
• Move Multipliers to other bands if you have the time
- Picking frequencies in advance makes it easier
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p41
more Best Practices . . .
Running
- continued
• If another station calls CQ on your frequency,
try "QRL" or "Frequency in use, please QSY"
• Don't engage in extended frequency fights
- If QRL/QSY fails, it almost always pays to move
- Sometimes you can move up or down a bit in order to
lessen the QRM and still hang on to "your" frequency
• NEVER NEVER NEVER acknowledge a "jammer".
NEVER. Just keep your pace, and don't change your tone of
voice on phone or even synchronize your calls to his QRM.
- Often throwing in a few fake Q’s will discourage the jammer
The Complete Best Practices Collection
Appears in Appendix A
Skip SO2R
Jump to
Practices List
Skip SO2R
Jump to
Loggers
Skip Loggers
Jump to
Conclusion
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p42
A Word About Single Op 2 Radio
Everyone has their own idea of an efficient SO2R layout . . .
K1PT S02R Setup
two computers
Radio A/B switch
at DF0WA
K2YWE
An earlier two radio setup
two computers
(no PC)
N2IC one computer
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p43
SO2R
Save SO2R until you have nearly exhausted other improvements
• It’s easy for SO2R to be a distraction
• KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) is key
- Start with a simple setup
- Use SO2R only when things are slow
• CQ A - S&P B or Alternate CQs
• Modify your setup and operation with experience
• Most top Ops swear by it
- Potential to add significantly to your score
• Some don’t use it at all
p.s. I’m at level one – a few SO2R Q’s per contest - dbz
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p44
Internet Links
Contest Organizations, Calendars, Info, and Sponsors
-
SM3CER Calendar
sk3bg.se/contest
WA7BNM Calendar
hornucopia.com/contestca
Contesting.Com
contesting.com
National Contest Journal – NCJ (QSO parties, Sprints, more)
ncjweb.com
ARRL (Sweepstakes, Field Day, DX, UHF/VHF, more)
arrl.org/contests
CQ Magazine (CQWW, WPX, and others)
cq-amateur-radio.com
Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC)
pvrc.org
Frankford Radio Club (FRC)
frc-contest.org
Contest Logging Programs
-
N1MM
Win-Test
Writelog
CT & CTWin
TR Log, TR4W
pages.cthome.net/n1mm\
win-test.com
writelog.com
k1ea.com
tr4w.com
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p45
Conclusion
Little Pistols with modest stations
can successfully compete
• Prepare and pay attention to detail
- Remember Sun Tzu
• Strategies are important
- Pick and plan the contests. Use the plan for guidance.
• Adopt proven Best Practices
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Keep what works for you.
• Run, big dog, run
- Try to Run if at all possible
• Start now making incremental changes
- Make an improvement list and work it down
• There are lots of resources for help
- Just ask
“ It’s not the size of your station, it’s how you use it! ”
Apendices Follow
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p46
Appendices
Appendix A - Best Practices Collection
Appendix C – Selected Contest Loggers
Skip to
PVRC Link
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p47
Link to Best Practices
Best Practices appendix is available at
http://pvrc.org
Follow the links
News&Photos
Presentations
K2YWE PowerPoint on Contesting - Best Practices
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p48
Appendix A
Best Practices
Collection
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p49
Best Practices Collection
BEST PRACTICE
RATIONALE
General Operating
1 Assume a Big Dog attitude.
2
3
4
5
• If you act like a big dog, most will believe you.
If they bite back painfully, you can find other turf.
Maintain a “friendly sense of urgency” in your
• Chattiness will slow your rate and lose you
QSOs
contacts.
Always work Dupes (in CT “WORKDUPE”)
• You may not be in their log
• It usually takes more time to rebuff than work.
Enable and use the bandmap feature of your
• If you need to check back later, the bandmap will
logging software.
have the call sign and frequency noted for you.
The Bandmap allows you to mark stations on
• You’ll waste less time waiting for stations to ID or
the fly.
on calling Dupes.
In general, use K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE." Modify • Your time can be better spent increasing your
"TWICE" to suit your station capabilities and
rate.
contest circumstances:
• A Multiplier is usually not be worth the lost Q's
• If you can't get a station after calling
spent trying.
TWICE, move on.
• You can put him in the bandmap to check back
• If he doesn't ID after transmitting TWICE,
later.
move on.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p50
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
General Operating - continued
1
a Bigtime
Dogrepeatedly
attitude. calling DX stations
Do not waste
6 Assume
that have moderate signals when the band is
of the world.
their part
fromsense
2 otherwise
Maintain a quiet
“friendly
of urgency”
in your
This is likely to happen when big guns are
QSOs
“keeping it open.”
or “WORKDUPE”)
the band”
just “opening
3 Always
work Dupes
(in CT
Try another time.
4
and use
the bandmap
feature
your to
can’tofseem
a bit if you
frequency
Try moving
7 Enable
logging
software.
be heard.
allows
to mark
stations on
the time.
have
if youyou
Multipliers
MoveBandmap
8 The
fly. frequencies in advance.
Pick
•the
5
K3ZO's
"Rule of
Modify
wrong part
or TWICE."
the missing
only
sendinguse
Trygeneral,
9 In
"TWICE"
to suit your
capabilities
and
(“Fill”).
call or exchange
your station
when correcting
contest
circumstances:
to K3A? should be “ABC”
• The response
• (several
If you can't
get
station after
calling
the K3
since
times if anecessary)
TWICE,
move
on.
wasn’t in question.
•• Similarly,
If he doesn't
ID ifafter
TWICE,
query is for your
the transmitting
in SS
move on.
avoid sending the entire exchange
Check,
RATIONALE
• If
you stations
act like arunning
big dog,high
most
will believe
heard
will be you.
power
Many
If they
bite back painfully,
youwill
cannot
find
other
youturf.
hear
is poor, but
propagation
when
antennas.
elaborate
despite
• Chattiness
will slow
your rate and lose you
• Remember that 1.5kW vs. 100W is about the
contacts.
and
•difference
You maybetween
not be inS-7
their
logS-3.
• It usually takes more time to rebuff than work.
• If
you receiver
need to check
back later,
the bandmap
are
bandwill
in a crowded
bandwidths
Often
have
thenarrow.
call sign and frequency noted for you.
set very
•• You’ll
waiting for stations to ID or
Multipliers
gaintime
way toless
Quick waste
calling
Dupes.
will go with you.
Ops
•onMany
•• Your
timeyou
canspend
be better
spentknown
increasing
info isyour
sending
The time
rate.
wasted.
•• A
Multiplier
is usually
not be
worthor
theQSB
lostpeak
Q's
interval
a clear
may squander
You
spent
trying. known information.
on resending
• You can put him in the bandmap to check back
later.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p51
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
General Operating - continued
1
Big Dog
10 Assume
Listen toawhat
is onattitude.
your frequency when
working split.
11
CQ when
the band
is active
if you are
able
2 Call
Maintain
a “friendly
sense
of urgency”
in your
to find a frequency and hold it.
QSOs
3 Always work Dupes (in CT “WORKDUPE”)
RATIONALE
• If you act
bigyou
dog,
most
willtime
believe
canlike
heara it,
can
better
youryou.
call or
If they
bite
back painfully, you can find other turf.
defer
until
later.
• You
will usually
beatyour
yourrate
S&Pand
ratelose
without
Chattiness
will slow
you
difficulty.
contacts.
is the
startlog
of the contest when
• An
Youexception
may not be
in their
everyone
istakes
new for
you,time
andtoyour
S&P
ratework.
can be
• It usually
more
rebuff
than
high.
4 Enable and use the bandmap feature of your
•very
If you
need to check back later, the bandmap will
12 Call
CQ software.
when the bands are dead for the day or •have
That’s
the and
stations
that have
been
logging
the when
call sign
frequency
noted
for CQing
you.
worked
out near
the end
contest.
S&Pwaste
for “fresh
The
Bandmap
allows
youoftothe
mark
stations on
•will
You’ll
less meat.”
time waiting for stations to ID or
the fly.
on calling Dupes.
13
Do
not
inquire
if
the
frequency
is
busy
before
announces
to others
that
it’s clear at
your
5 In general, use K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE." Modify •• QRL?
Your time
can be better
spent
increasing
your
CQing.
end.
"TWICE" to suit your station capabilities and
rate.
•contest
You’ll circumstances:
find out soon enough if it is.
•• Someone
else
may well
jump
in andthe
CQ.
A Multiplier
is usually
not
be worth
lost Q's
• If you can't get a station after calling
spent trying.
TWICE, move on.
• You can put him in the bandmap to check back
• If he doesn't ID after transmitting TWICE,
later.
move on.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p52
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
General Operating - Phone
1
a Big Dogorattitude.
14 Assume
Use conventional
unmistakable phonetics.
• “Duck Soup” are poor phonetics for “D S
U”
2 Maintain a “friendly sense of urgency” in your
QSOs
15 Always
Do not be
intimidated
stations
talking fast or
3
work
Dupes (inbyCT
“WORKDUPE”)
unintelligibly.
• Firmlyand
askuse
until
you
get all the
exchange
4 Enable
the
bandmap
feature
of your
info. Use
“again?”
logging
software.
• It is
usually better
asktofor
onestations
piece ofon
The
Bandmap
allowstoyou
mark
missing
info at a time.
the
fly.
5 In general, use K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE." Modify
"TWICE" to suit your station capabilities and
contest circumstances:
• If you can't get a station after calling
TWICE, move on.
• If he doesn't ID after transmitting TWICE,
move on.
RATIONALE
• The
If you
act like
a big
dog, most is
willtobelieve
you.
whole
idea
of phoenetics
eliminate
If they bite
painfully, you can find other turf.
ambiguity
byback
standardization.
• Non-native
english
Chattiness will
slowspeakers
your ratemay
andnot
loseunderstand
you
a "home made" alphabet.
contacts.
is not
to you if it's
• The
You QSO
may not
be worth
in theiranything
log
wrong
(busted).
• It usually
takes more time to rebuff than work.
is quick
and back
universally
understood.
•• "Again"
If you need
to check
later, the
bandmap will
have the call sign and frequency noted for you.
• You’ll waste less time waiting for stations to ID or
on calling Dupes.
• Your time can be better spent increasing your
rate.
• A Multiplier is usually not be worth the lost Q's
spent trying.
• You can put him in the bandmap to check back
later.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p53
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
RATIONALE
General
RunningOperating
1
a Big Dog
attitude. you can stand
IF bandwidth
Use the widest
16 Assume
• If
youchance
act liketo
a big
dog,
mostcallers,
will believe
you.
especially
off-freq
miss
Less
they bite back painfully, you can find other turf.
onIf CW
are
if you
you,lose
hearing
is not
heslow
though
• Even
your frequency
onurgency”
CQ of
calls
anotherastation
17
2 If
Maintain
“friendly
sense
in your
Chattiness
will
your
rate and
you
being heard by others he may not get many
and fails to respond to your QRL-QSY message, contacts.
QSOs
may
he leaves. But,
while to
for aDupes
carry onwork
3 Always
(insee
CT if“WORKDUPE”)
•responses
You may and
not be
in give
theirup
logafter a few minutes. No
time.time to rebuff than work.
wastemore
likes totakes
one
don’t do this for very long.
• It usually
time.
QSO
youto
costs
It you
frequency
extended
in the
Don’t engage
18 Enable
4
and use
bandmap
featurefights
of your
• If
need
check
back later, the bandmap will
end. for you.
the othernoted
in QRM
besign
may
• Youthe
or “Frequency in use, QSY.”
• Try “QRL”
logging
software.
have
call
and at
frequency
to move.
paysstations
always
almostyou
fails, itallows
If that
The
Bandmap
to mark
on
• You’ll waste less time waiting for stations to ID or
you can move up or down a bit
Sometimes
•the
fly.
on calling Dupes.
still hang
QRM and
the "Rule
lessen
order touse
5 Inin
general,
K3ZO's
of TWICE."
Modify • Your time can be better spent increasing your
on to “your”
"TWICE"
to suitfrequency.
your station capabilities and
rate.
circumstances:
•• A
Multiplier
issuffer
usually
not be
worth
the lost Q's
too long
take
if you
rate will
Your
a run to pull one station through
Don’t break
19 contest
• If you can't get a station after calling
spent
will drive away impatient waiting stations
• You trying.
TWICE,
•• You
can put
in with
the bandmap
to check
can back
how fast you
to do
hashim
Running
a station's call through after
drag on.
can'tmove
20 If you
•trying
If heTWICE,
doesn'tignore
ID after
transmitting
TWICE,CQ
later.
accurately pull a call and get it into the log. You
and start calling
him
move
on.
don’t want your rate to slow down or other callers
again.
to lose interest.
• This is part of K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE."
• Equally important, on a crowded band you have
Again, modify "TWICE " to suit your station
to transmit a lot to keep "your" frequency clear.
capabilities and contest circumstances.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p54
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
General
RunningOperating
- continued
1
Dog
attitude.or "TU" without your
21 Assume
Use onlyaaBig
quick
"Thanks"
call sign or QRZ if stations are waiting to work
(You aheard
multiple
callers).
2 you
Maintain
“friendly
sense
of urgency” in your
• Throw in your call once every few Q’s
QSOs
for thework
uninitiated.
3 Always
Dupes (in CT “WORKDUPE”)
• Keep it up until there are no more
responses,
then
back to
your “full”
4 Enable
and use
thebuild
bandmap
feature
of your
QRZ message
logging
software.and CQ.
•The
If you
get no allows
response
working
the on
Bandmap
youafter
to mark
stations
first
the
fly.station this way, try sending your call
TEST”
before
resuming
toTWICE."
a full CQ.Modify
5 Inand
general,
use
K3ZO's
"Rule of
suit
your
capabilities
and
22 "TWICE"
When theto
call
sign
of station
a responder
is
contest
circumstances:
questionable,
send a complete exchange using
•theIfquestionable
you can't get call.
a station
calling
Thenafter
correct
TWICE,his
move
on. transmission.
it during
exchange
• You
If hecan
doesn't
ID after
transmitting
use SCP
to help
guess TWICE,
move on. calls first round.
incomplete
• Make sure you have it right before you let
him go.
RATIONALE
• IfMost
you act
like astations
big dog,
most
willyour
believe
waiting
will
know
call.you.
Don’t
If they
biteon
back
waste
time
it. painfully, you can find other turf.
• Chattiness
Minimizingwill
the slow
time your
stations
to wait
ratehave
and lose
youfor you
will help to keep the impatient ones hanging
contacts.
andnot
willbe
increase
•around
You may
in their your
log QSO rate.
• It usually takes more time to rebuff than work.
• If you need to check back later, the bandmap will
have the call sign and frequency noted for you.
•• Less
contesters
not realize
you
You’llexperienced
waste less time
waitingmay
for stations
to ID
or
are
waitingDupes.
for them. “TEST” will alert them you
on calling
are
ready
forcan
another
station
to call.
• Your
time
be better
spent
increasing your
rate.
• Nearly all stations will correct you on their
•transmission,
A Multiplier is
usually
be worth
the lost
Q's
good
Opsnot
without
a missing
a beat.
spent
trying.
• It saves
the time of an extra exchange devoted
•only
Youtocan
put him
in the
bandmap
getting
the call
sign
right. to check back
later.
• You can always revert to “normal” means if this
practice fails.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p55
Best Practices Collection (con’d)
BEST PRACTICE
General
RunningOperating
- continued
1
a Big
Dog
attitude.in your software
23 Assume
Enable call
sign
correction
(“CORRECT” in CT) . This will send the
as partsense
of your
goodbye message.
2 corrected
Maintain acall
“friendly
of urgency”
in your
24 QSOs
Speed up if your run is being sustained. This is
3 Always
work
Dupes
(in CT like
“WORKDUPE”)
especially
true
in contests
SS where the
exchange includes your call sign. Slow back
down appropriately.
4 Enable
and use the bandmap feature of your
software.
25 logging
Hit the SEND
key as soon as the call is in your
The
Bandmap
allows
you
to mark
stations
head, and finish
typing
it into
the log
duringonthe
the
fly.
automated
response or while talking.
5 In general, use K3ZO's "Rule of TWICE." Modify
"TWICE" to suit your station capabilities and
contest circumstances:
• If you can't get a station after calling
TWICE,
moveNEVER
on.
26 When
running,
NEVER NEVER
•acknowledge
If he doesn'ta ID
after
transmitting
"jammer". NEVER. TWICE,
move
on.
Just
keep
your pace, and don't change your tone
of voice on phone or even synchronize your
calls to his QRM.
RATIONALE
• If
you actwant
like aassurance
big dog, most
will believe
Stations
you have
loggedyou.
them
If they bite
back
youfrom
canasking
find other
turf.
correctly.
This
willpainfully,
keep them
QSL?
• Chattiness will slow your rate and lose you
contacts.
• Stations waiting will usually know your info.
• You
not be
in be
their
log to wait for shorter
Moremay
stations
will
inclined
•times.
It usually takes more time to rebuff than work.
Your
will
up with
• If
yourate
need
to go
check
backspeed
later, (duh).
the bandmap will
have
the fingers
call signare
and
frequency
noted
for you.
• If your
like
mine, they
slightly
lag my
•brain
You’ll
waste
less
time
waiting
for
stations
ID or
so that I am still typing when the other to
station
on
calling
Dupes.
stops
sending.
• Your
time Practice
can be better
spent
your
This Best
reduces
theincreasing
lag between
when
rate.
the other station finishes calling and when you
•respond.
A Multiplier
usually
be worth
the lost Q's
The is
typing
andnot
SENDing
overlap
spent
trying.
increases
rate.
•• You
put him inhe
thecan't
bandmap
to he
check
back
Withcan
no response,
be sure
is even
later.
bothering you, and it isn't any "fun" for him if he
doesn't get a reaction.
Got More?
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p56
Appendix B
Selected Contest
Loggers
Skip Loggers
Jump to
Conclusion
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p57
Popular Contest Logging Programs
Similar capabilities with varying implementations
All run under Windows OS
•
Need varying amounts of learning to fully utilize
- N1MM (Free)
•
Most popular Win logger. Continuous cooperative development
- Win-Test ($)
•
Many features and options. Easy transition for CT users.
- Writelog ($)
•
Popular Windows full-featured contest program.
- TR4W (Free)
•
Very flexible. Behavior taken from popular TR DOS program.
- CTWin (Free) – Grandaddy of them all
•
Windows character mode version of DOS program.
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p58
Popular Contest Programs (con’d)
Facilitate operating, logging, and exploiting opportunities
Contesting-specific with advanced features
•
•
•
•
•
Band Maps with S&P “point & shoot”
SO2R Support (and Multi)
Spotting through a Telnet connection
Radio, CW & voice keying, and rotator Interfaces
Sound card support
- Most provide sound card voice keyer
- Some provide sound card Receive recording
- Some support external voice keyer control
• Varying levels of RTTY and PSK31 support are provided
- Most generate and read digital modes using the sound card
- Some provide only logging functions
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p59
N1MM
by N1MM et. al.
(N1MM, N2AMG, K3CT, N2IC, NA3M)
Newest and most popular Windows contest logger
• Cooperative project with multiple participants/coders.
- Over 200,000 lines of code and growing
- Mainly Visual Basic & Access
- Large user community
• Requires fast machine and substantial RAM
• Multiple Configurable Windows
• 110 supported contests
- Allows User-Defined contests
• Sound card voice keyer
- Pre-record files
• RS-232, Parallel, USB support
• Free
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p60
Win-Test
by F5MZN
Mature written-for-Windows high performance contest logger
•
•
•
•
Efficient code with minimal processing and memory requirements
Strong CT keystroke emulation
Over 100 supported contests
Sound card voice keyer
- Built-in editor
• RS-232, Parallel, USB support
• ~$70 (50€)
Proceeds support Radio Amateur
Club de Kourou contest activities,
including FY5KE (French Guiana).
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p61
Writelog by Contesting Software, LLC
Mature written-for-Windows high performance contest logger
• Efficient code with minimal processing and memory requirements
• Single Main Window
• 110 supported contests
- Also GP logging
• Sound card voice
- On-the-fly recording
• RS-232, Parallel, USB support
• $30 (incl 1 yr updates)
- Previous version @ $18
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p62
TR4W
by UA4WLI
New Win version of mature world-class adaptive contest logger
• Small and fast 100% Windows API code
- Only 100,000 lines of code in 160KB of memory
• Win version with same features as successful TRlog by N6TR
- N6TR provided TRlog source code as basis
- Continuously adding more features
• Over 140 supported contests
• S&P/Run Mode Adaptive
• Sound card voice keyer
- Exceptional functionality
• RS-232, LPT, USB support
- USB I/O includes log backup
• Free!
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p63
CTWin
by K1EA
Win version of first serious contest logger, still in use
Uses Windows character mode. Minimal system requirements
• Win version with same features as original premier CT logger
- Includes extensive set of utilities
• Contest support files actively maintained by AD1C & WA1Z
- No longer supported by K1EA
- User Group support
• Supports all major contests and a few others
- No new contests to be added, no changes to existing contests
- Limited user-defined contest capability
• RS-232 and LPT I/O
- USB with converter
• Controls some voice keyers*
• Free!
*SM3WMV S/W Voice Keyer
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p64
N3FJP
by N3FJP
[Info Only – Not Recommended]
Basic contest logger – Easy, but lacks important functionality
• Recently re-written in C#.NET (was VB6)
• Single resizable Main Window
• 52+ supported contests (31 +21 State QPs and more)
- Also GP logging
• Sound card voice
• RS-232, Parallel, USB support
• No Band Map*, Limited Spot Window
•
•
•
•
- No dupe or mult indicators . . .
Limited Partial Call Check – Only dupes
No SO2R support
Excellent personal customer service
$49 all programs or
- $ 9 each contest separately
*Band Map option available in old VB version
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p65
Internet Links
Contest Organizations, Calendars, Info, and Sponsors
-
Potomac Valley Radio Club (PVRC)
pvrc.org
Contesting.Com
contesting.com
Frankford Radio Club (FRC)
frc-contest.org
CQ Magazine (CQWW, WPX, and others)
cq-amateur-radio.com
National Contest Journal – NCJ (QSO parties, Sprints, more)
ncjweb.com
ARRL (Sweepstakes, Field Day, DX, UHF/VHF, more)
arrl.org/contests
SM3CER Calendar
sk3bg.se/contest
WA7BNM Calendar
hornucopia.com/contestca
Contest Logging Programs
-
CT & CTWin
TR Log, TR4W
Win-Test
Writelog
N1MM
k1ea.com
tr4w.com
win-test.com
writelog.com
pages.cthome.net/n1mm\
“includes non-contest loggers
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p66
Conclusion
Little Pistols with modest stations
can successfully compete
• Prepare and pay attention to detail
- Remember Sun Tzu
• Adopt proven Best Practices
- Don’t be afraid to experiment. Keep what works for you.
• Run, big dog, run
- Try to Run if at all possible
• Start now making incremental changes
- Make an improvement list and work it down
• Strategies are important
- Pick and plan the contests. Use the plan for guidance.
• There are lots of resources for help
- Just ask
“ It’s not the size of your station, it’s how you use it! ”
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p67
Link to Best Practices
Best Practices appendix is available at
http://pvrc.org
Follow the links
News&Photos
Presentations
K2YWE PowerPoint on Contesting - Best Practices
K2YWE Little Pistol 03-2014 - p68