Transcript Slide 1
Improve operator skill, capability, & efficiency Earn various awards – DX, states, grids Learn more about the science of radio ◦ Propagation, antenna theory, receiver principles Camaraderie with other contesters Players Rules Method to determine winners (scoring) Strategy Winning / records Peer recognition Full-time operation Enjoy the challenge Chasing personal goals Use time available Make contacts Improve skills Help others Have FUN ! Competitors Enthusiasts Participants Geographic Modes Bands Power International ◦ ARRL International DX, CQ World Wide Domestic ◦ Primarily W/VE, NAQP, Field Day, ARRL Sweepstakes Regional ◦ State QSO parties CW ◦ CQWW CW, NAQP, ARRL 160M, ARRL SS, WPX CW Phone ◦ CQWW SSB, NAQP, ARRL SS, ARRL Int’l DX, WPX SSB RTTY ◦ CQWW RTTY, NAQP, RTTY Roundup, WPX RTTY Mixed ◦ ARRL 10M, Field Day, State QSO parties Other digital modes ◦ PSK31 contests, Feld-Hell Turkey Shoot HF – may or may not include 160M VHF/UHF – CQWW VHF, ARRL VHF SS, 10 GHz and up Never WARC bands – 12M, 17M, and 30M May choose single band in multi-band contest Only one “contest” with both HF and VHF/UHF ◦ Field Day High Power (>100 watts up to 1500 watts) Low Power (mostly 100 watts) – NAQP QRP (5 watts or less) – many QRP contests Invest in antennas ◦ Effectiveness ◦ Flexibility – “two antennas are better than one” Station Configuration ◦ Everything within easy reach ◦ Comfortable chair Reliability ◦ Do things right ◦ Have spares WB4YDL Short tower – Force 12 XR-5 stack Covers 20M through 10M (WARC 12/17M included) Other antennas for 6M, 2M, 440 MHz Even a simple dipole or commercial vertical will get you in the game. Multiple yagi antennas are not typical ! WBøYEA WB4YDL Station Corner design with central monitor Radio #1 – Elecraft K3 Radio #2 – Yaesu FT-1000MP MkV Interface radio(s) to computer(s) ◦ Frequency control Use all the control outputs available to you ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ CW output PTT output to key radios Sound card (or voice keyer) control Band data for antenna and filter selection Select a category ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ All band or single band ? Power – High, Low, QRP ? Assisted or non-assisted ? Multi-operator ? – M1, M2, MM Set a goal ◦ Have fun ? ◦ Win a certificate ? ◦ Set a record ? Point for each QSO ? ◦ Per mode ? ◦ Per continent ? ◦ Per band ? What is a multiplier ? ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Section ? Zone ? Country ? Prefix ? Constantly evaluate actions against final score You have 1000 QSO’s, 100 zones, 250 countries or about 980,000 points Which is more valuable ? ◦ Getting the 40th zone on 20M ? ◦ Working 10 more contacts ? You have 1000 QSO’s, 100 zones, 250 countries or about 980,000 points Which is more valuable ? ◦ Getting the 40th zone on 20M ? ◦ Working 10 more contacts ? 1001 x 351 = 983,782 points 1010 x 350 = 989,800 points You have 1000 QSO’s, 100 zones, 250 countries or about 980,000 points Which is more valuable ? ◦ Getting the 40th zone on 20M ? ◦ Working 10 more contacts ? 1001 x 351 = 983,782 points 1010 x 350 = 989,800 points That multiplier is only worth 2.8 QSO’s ! You have 1000 QSO’s, 100 zones, 250 countries or about 980,000 points Which is more valuable ? ◦ Getting the 40th zone on 20M ? ◦ Working 10 more contacts ? 1001 x 351 = 983,782 points 1010 x 350 = 989,800 points That multiplier is only worth 2.8 QSO’s ! @ 60 QSO’s/hour – 4 minutes @ 30 QSO’s/hour – 7 minutes Where do the QSO’s come from ? Do activity patterns repeat ? What hours to be on the air ? Expect opening times for each band When to “run” and when to “search and pounce” ? Know the flow ◦ Contest QSO’s have a rhythm and sequence ◦ Good operator’s habits require less thinking and less energy Know the flow ◦ Contest QSO’s have a rhythm and sequence ◦ Good operator’s habits require less thinking and less energy Driving a car ◦ Had to think about everything at first ◦ With experience, able to focus on other things Know the flow ◦ Contest QSO’s have a rhythm and sequence ◦ Good operator’s habits require less thinking and less energy Driving a car ◦ Had to think about everything at first ◦ With experience, able to focus on other things Learn to type ! ◦ Contesting requires a lot of typing without room for errors Breathe ! Consistency and Efficiency ◦ Find a rhythm that suits the conditions/rate ◦ Learn not to say, “Uh”, “Please copy”, “Roger the 5914, you are …”, “QSL QRZ ?” ◦ Say your call often – almost every QSO Answer guys with the phonetics they use Speak clearly ◦ Go slow to go faster Be consistent and be ACCURATE Let the computer send Sending speed depends on conditions Cut numbers ◦ Sometimes OK, sometimes not Practice ◦ CW is a learned skill that improves with practice RUN When you can SEARCH & POUNCE When you can’t run When you need mult’s When looking for a new run frequency There is no magic formula for when to run vs. S&P Decision based on log analysis, scoring formula, band conditions, a “feeling” Timing ◦ Be the first or last on a band Don’t fight with giants – move ! ◦ High in the band is perfectly OK ! ◦ Position yourself where you can be heard Be aware of your “surroundings” Get whole calls the first time Know your rate goal and thresholds Think “opportunity cost” Assess the worth of the target Assess the size of the pileup Is propagation improving or decaying ? Smart beats loud ◦ Avoid zero beat ◦ Varying timing Tune in a station on either VFO Set VFO A = VFO B Tune in another station and switch VFO’s Assess, call, switch … repeat When one is worked, switch & equalize VFO’s Leapfrog your way across the band No other single thing will help you more to improve your score It only works if you spend your time making QSO’s ! Plan your life to meet your contest goal ◦ Work, family, food, rest, station repairs Part time ? ◦ BIC for the best rate or at different times each day Have a goal ! You can not train for lack of sleep You can not store sleep Under sleep deprivation, highly practiced skills will deteriorate more slowly than those that require new or creative thought The human sleep cycle is 90 minutes Preparation ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ Have good physical fitness Stay on your normal sleep schedule Get extra sleep 4-7 days before the contest Take 3 hour nap before the contest starts During the contest ◦ Sleep for 90 or 180 minutes ◦ Avoid caffeine until needed Prepared Motivated Strategic SCORE Accurate Efficient