Contest Methods
Frank MacKenzie-Lamb (NG1I)
on
January 22, 2008
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Hello all,
Since I have come back to HR after a 10 year absence, I have found that with all the new advances in HR and computer logging, I really enjoy all the contest that the ARRL and CQ has to offer and participate in many of them.
My question is do most contesters "run the frequency" or search and pounce?Or both? S&P drives me batty as it seems I get a lower Q rate doing that instead of running the freq. I also make sure to know what band is good at the time with activity and switch when activity becomes minimal as the band closes down.
I only have one rig and I know the big guns have two rigs and maybe 20 element monobanders on 20 and up on 300 ft towers and seem to run about 5KW (:
In essense, I am not a big gun or small pistol. Instead, I am a leaky squirt gun with a G5RV and always run 150W or lower.
What say you all? I image there are many different answers to this but I am not able to be a big gun.
Thanks all,
Frank
"Never Give 1 Inch"
NG1I
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Contest Methods
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by WM2P on January 22, 2008
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No offense meant but I do not understand why this is in the article section. It appears to be more of a survey type question.
I have no answer to the question posed as I do not "enter" any contest unless I am equiped and prepared to win. That is just me as I like to win and am not a big fan of hopeless causes or participating for the "fun" of losing. :) Nonetheless I do enjoy working the contesting stations without keeping score as it allows me to test the limits of my equipment and improve my operating skills. I have no axe to grind with contestors as it is the only time the bands come alive and without them I would have far less contacts in my log. In fact, it appears to this new ham that if you removed contesting, the bands would get far less use. Personally I am not a conversationalist and my taste in topics is much different than what most hams wish to discuss so I just like testing the limits of my equipment with a short and sweet exchange of information. Others may prefer a nice long conversations. One is not better than the other.
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Contest Methods
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by K6YE on January 22, 2008
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Frank,
IMHO, your station is geared towards "just having fun."
In general, "search and pounce" (S&P) and "running" are both used to maximize scores. It does not take 10KW but the ability to hold a frequency (without being a rare one) does take more than 150 watts.
If it is your desire to win, you might want to procure yagis, phased arrays, amplifiers, programs, and tons and tons of patience. Otherwise have fun and enjoy.
Either way, good luck in your venture. Oh yea, HR = Ham Radio.
Semper Fi,
Tommy - K6YE
DX IS
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Contest Methods
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by K8QV on January 22, 2008
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Hello, Frank.
I am in the same situation. I ran 100w and a G5RV Junior for a long time. Finally have a MA5B mini beam, which is a big help but I am still small potatoes!
You obviously cannot compete head to head with kilowatts and massive antenna arrays, but you can pick your fights.
I consistently work (even with the wire) the rare ones. I'm first, if I happen to catch them just getting on the air. You have to pay attention to all the available information about current DXpeditions and use it to your advantage. Even in the middle of a pileup, I will eventually prevail. It's not always the loudest signal that gets answered, but the one at the right time on the right frequency. Doing that correctly takes patience, skill and a very large dose of luck. Besides DX, there are endless opportunities to score well in the QSO parties for the various states and countries. The QRP community sponsors contests, and digital modes offer another low power opportunity to do well.
You can set reasonable goals and attain them without spending more on HR than you did on your new car. It is more rewarding to catch a big fish with skill and a fly rod than to use dynamite and scoop 'em up!
Have fun,
- Chris
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N2WEC on January 22, 2008
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Why waste air time and band space with a useless contest. A contest does not serve the public good. Nor does it support the "hobby service". It does however show what poor and rude operators there are in the world.
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Contest Methods
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by N7QNO on January 22, 2008
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Please Don't Try To "Hold" a frequency in a DX contest.What I generally hear from the West Coast,lets use 20 meters for example are stateside stations calling away when the DX is right around them trying to find a clear spot.If everyone listened a bit more rates would increase for all of us.....Just My Opinion!!
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RE: Contest Methods
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by KF4HR on January 22, 2008
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The answer to your question more than likely depends on your own operating style and expertise. Try the S&P on a few contests, then other method on a few contests - compare scores. And there you go...
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by AJ4CU on January 22, 2008
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N2WEC, bad mouthing contesting is no way to endear yourself to your fellow hams, especially from someone who prefers VHF/UHF dxing anyway, if you do not like contesting stay off HF the weekends there is a contest.
Contesting has been around since the beginnings of our Hobby/Service, it helps the genuine ops improve their weak signal skills, gets some nice DX to go toward DXCC or other awards and is just plain fun.
I host the major contests for my club from my station and we are very competitive running as a multi-multi station, yes my shack is big enough to accomodate 4 stations and I have quite the antenna farm now.
True there are some nasty folks out there but as with anything we must take the good with the bad.
Again, contesting has been around for a loooong time and will outlast us both.
So take a chill pill and try to talk our hobby up not down, we have enough with celebs and politicos that you are not helping.
Now, to the original poster, Have fun!!! dont worry about the big guns, work at your own pace, put more antennas up, listen and work em!!!!
Nuff Said!
73 ES CUL DE AJ4CU
Hari Volikas
VP Azalea Coast ARC.
Secy Wilmington VHF Assoc.
Member BB-55 USS North Carolina, Restoration/Operators.
Member Spirit of North Carolina, A-26 Invader Crew, North Carolina Warbirds Museum.
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by AJ4CU on January 22, 2008
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One more thing,
We usually run 2 stations on a stationary freq and the other two doing search and pounce.
My favorite time is working all the juicy DX on 40M splits late at night.
73 ES GUD DX DE AJ4CU
Hari
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N6AJR on January 22, 2008
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Hi, I do some modest contesting, and really enjoy it. I have a 3 ele steppir and a gap voyager for antenas. for hf conteating I run usually a couple hundred contacts in any given contest. I do a little cw and mostly phone and it is fun. I tend to find weak points in the station and it has improved a lot. I joined the northern clifornia contest culb and really enjoy the fellowship. it is not all consuming but I do manage to pick up some new DX now and then ina contest, and it is fun. most contests have many catagories, like qrp, low power, hi power, and multi op. so you compete against similar stations. works for me.
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by N3JBH on January 22, 2008
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Ok hi Frank I to am pretty much in the small squirt gun category. I do have a small assortment of verticals some home brewed and one 6 BVT. The complimentary dipoles and a small tri band yagi. For power I only am able to muster about 800 watts. And like you already stated I do not have a china mans chance in well you know against the big boys. So i simply will give points to the other guys it is fun and they seem to be happy to get the points.
I say if your really wanting to get into contesting you be better served with a bigger and more powerful set up. If you want just have fun you do ok with what you have. But if you have the ability to add a tri band yagi and maybe the HyGain HT-18 hy tower you may just be amazed what you can do. Then there my dream set up I hope to have some day and that is phased array using 4 of the HT-18’s . That and a supper radial system should do rather well.
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by OLDFART13 on January 22, 2008
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The rules of radio are don't discuss politics, religion, no-code or contests.
Now you done did it.
Get yer flame retardant suite ready.
hihi
73, Steve
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RE: Contest Methods
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by W4VR on January 22, 2008
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Frank: you can have fun running bare bones, but it's more fun if you run at least 1 kW and a highly elevated antenna. I'm not a contester, but I know for a fact that most of them run legal power or a couple dB more....they sound so powerful because their antenna systems are the best in world.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by K6CRC on January 22, 2008
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If it were not for contests, new hams would not have any QSOs. The bands is near dead except on contest days - this is how it appears to a General of less than one year.
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by KB3LIX on January 22, 2008
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Hi Frank,
I'm in the same boat, 100 watts and a homemade double Zepp at 25' agl. NOT a big gun, but I try to hold my own. I stick with S & P about 95% of the time, but I do make it a habit to park and try to run a freq in any given contest, at least for a while. Many stations do S & P exclusively, and unless you run a freq, it is impossible to get those stations.
Running a frequency can be VERY difficult, as you will most always get "stepped on" by a bigger gun,
but hold your ground, IF you can.
Looking at my log, looks like we worked on 40 & 80 meters in the ARRL RTTY roundup. Thanks for the Q's.
I got an interesting envelope in todays mail, seems that in the 2007 ARRL International DX Phone contest, I took first place, single operator, low power in the Western Pennsylvania section. (Brag mode off)
So, even a squirt gun can do decent.
Good luck in the future, hope to work you many times.
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Contest Methods
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by N0IU on January 22, 2008
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NG1I wrote, "My question is do most contesters "run the frequency" or search and pounce?Or both?"
That is part of the "art" of contesting. If there was one definitive answer, there wouldn't be such a wide disparity in the scores, even among stations running essentially the same gear. The top scoring contestors are always tweaking their contest strategy and there is ALWAYS a way to do it better.
Scott N0IU
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by KB3LIX on January 22, 2008
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To the anti-contesters......
I dedicate ONE BRONX CHEER !!!!!
Don't like contests, go somewhere else !!!!!!!
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by KG4JGQ on January 22, 2008
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Frank:
Just enjoy. Remember most contests have different power categories. I try search and pounce and watch the timing of the station on frequency during the beginning of the contests. Towards the end I'll find a clear frequency and call CQ. Even the big guns want your contact then because they are trying to avoid the dupes... Good luck, have fun and learn. You'll be surprised how a few contests help your skills to break into those kilowatt DX pileups. ESP CW!!
73
Rusty
KG4JGQ
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by K6AER on January 22, 2008
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Understand that a contest station is very much optimized for performance. In a typical contest station the monobander is up high with up to 10 dBi of gain at 1500 watts times the additional gain antenna height can give you. A contest station could have as much as 40 dB more signal than your G5RV at 40 feet with 100 watts. In addition a lot of contest stations will have multiple spotting receivers and it is very much a team effort for those top scores.
Contest stations are also located in optimal locations with very a quiet noise floor.
Top contest operators understand the band and many of the contacts that show up for a contest. Their operating style is brutal but that is what needed for a top score.
For a low power station you will probably do better as a roving hunter than setting on one frequency spot and trying to hold the frequency. To hold a frequency takes a major EIRP and operational experience.
Bottom line is enjoy the contacts you can make but don’t be discouraged when the big guns are working stations you can’t hear. It’s not personal but that is the nature of contesting.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by KE7FD on January 22, 2008
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Contesting can be fun and exciting. It can also be frustrating. No matter what you do to enhance your station signal there's likely to be many other stations dominating the frequency with something even better. Kinda ruins it for the garden variety ham of course, but remember this: Legally speaking, no one owns the bands so if you can hold the frequency during a contest, have fun. If on the other hand if someone is carrying on a rag-chew in the middle of a contest, steer clear. They have the frequency and a contest holds no legal authority to force a QSO off the air. It just makes common sense to not mix the two together. The purpose of amateur radio according to the FCC is found on Part 97.1, which I quote:
97.1 Basis and purpose.
The rules and regulations in this part are designed to provide an amateur radio service having a fundamental purpose as expressed in the following principles:
(a) Recognition and enhancement of the value of the amateur service to the public as a voluntary noncommercial communication service, particularly with respect to providing emergency communications.
(b) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s proven ability to contribute to the advancement of the radio art.
(c) Encouragement and improvement of the amateur service through rules which provide for advancing skills in both the communication and technical phases of the art.
(d) Expansion of the existing reservoir within the amateur radio service of trained operators, technicians, and electronics experts.
(e) Continuation and extension of the amateur’s unique ability to enhance international goodwill.
Rag Chewing probably fits nicely into paragraph (e) at the very least. There's nothing in the FCC's above statements that provides for contesting per se, but since contesting forces the operator to gather accurate information to advance his/her score, the skills to do so lend themselves to paragraph (a) specifically. Other than contesting and rag chewing many if not most hams enjoy the technical side of the hobby. Recently I participated in a local 4-hour 2 meter contest. What a blast! The contester in me had fun but the tech inside me gathered some useful information that would have taken weeks and months to gather otherwise. One of the questions that was answered that evening was, how well does 2 meter SSB, FM and digital modes do in this terrain to both mobile and fixed stations? That was something I needed to know for more important reasons that "playing around" on a contest, but the contest gave out a ton of data. Double win.
Bottom line: Leverage contests to fullfill the fundamental purposes of the amateur radio service and have fun doing it.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by KG6TT on January 22, 2008
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When you are contesting with a modest antenna and in the 'low power' category there are a few things you could consider....
1. CW contests rather than phone contests give you the most umpfh for your watt. RTTY contests could prove to be very satisfying too.... even with very modest stations.... and good for the contester who isn't practiced at CW :(
2. Contests that are limited to low power only (there are a few) and they tend to level the playing field a bit.
3. SPRINT style contests of any type as they limit the BIG GUNS ability to sit on valued frequencies with their contest robots screaming out endlessly for just one more 'Q'. :)
4. State QSO Parties as they are less popular so more open to those with modest stations... but provide excellent practice.
5. On the big contests consider entering the fray during the last 12 hours... run search and pounce... by then you are classified as 'fresh meat' and the big guns are begging for you.
6. Use DX Spotting to help you pick your fights.
7. Be aware of the propagation patterns to different areas... it is far better for you to wait jumping into a pile until the conditions are in your favor. When the 'circuit' is there you ARE the big gun.
8. Contest with a mind toward meeting or beating your 'personal best'. Don't get worked up about the 'Q' numbers the other stations are tossing out. You can learn a lot about how to optimize your contesting efforts.
9. Join a larger Contesting Club so that your score can add together with theirs. Believe it or not many a contest is won or lost to the clubs from the submissions of logs from the little stations. And of course it feels good to be a part of the larger winning team. There is also the eventual chance of working a contest at one of the larger stations. In time you can demonstrate that you are the HMO that they want (Highly Motivated Operator).
10. Have FUN... cause if you aren't why are you?
Hope one or two of these are suggestions you may find useful.
73,
Jerry, KG6TT
NCCC (Northern California Contest Club)
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by N0AH on January 22, 2008
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I get into it by using my TX off centered by 1/2-1 KC. It gets the DX station's attention by messing with the TX conrol. I run my filters on 3 on the 756 Pro and line up a QSO mult using this tactics. Works FB.
I hate to say it, but the first 3-4 hours of CQWW is a snooze. Find zone 2 and maybe zone 1 then if you are lucky, you might get some SA zones and country mults.
Turn it on Saturday. Use the same TX off center for getting the attention of the DX. But forget the runs. You are going to hunt and pounce in the morning for EU, SA later on and if we get a good opening in the afternoon, you might get some good stuff in the PAC.
Now Sunday is very cool beans. All the rare ones have worked everybody and although you will have some competition, you'll bag a few good ones.
Conditions wll have a lot of luck on your scores. I hate to say it, but your antenna is a bit of a problem. If you can go to a tribander/multiband vertical, you will be a lot happier. Even if you don't have a rotor, point a small Cushcraft A3S and point the antenna NE.
In QRN, you might feel you are wasting your time on the low bands but hang in there.....40 CW is hot-Other than that, the low bands in my opinion for SSB are a waste of time. Too much broadcast-
Hope this helps with all the advice you are getting-
73 Paul N0AH
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by KG6TT on January 22, 2008
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Oh, I forgot to mention:
11. Contest logging software... after 10 years away from HR you probably wonder about all the choices. Naturally there are many and most contesters use several over a period of time... and their (our) loyalties can be pretty fierce. I'm transitioning into WriteLog these days but what I used over the past few years is still calling out to me!
I have a simple recommendation... N3FJP (Google it) makes a very nice logging and contest logging software package. You can use all his modules or get just the ones you want... or just one to try it out. Scott's software isn't free but it is ridiculously inexpensive. Anyway, it is pretty much turn key (install... answer half a dozen simple questions) and go!. You can use Telnet Spots to assist... and with many of the contest modules you can see an instant visual reminder when new multipliers appear so that you can get to them before the piles do. It has rig control and CW memories... has RTTY... and even can sent voice messages. Pretty neat and I think a great place to start. The more simple the software the more energy you can concentrate on finding and working stations.
73,
Jerry, KG6TT
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by KI9A on January 23, 2008
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First off, N2WEC, this isn't a thread about whether or not you like contests, so, be gone, TROLL. You are producing a funny smell around here.
Now, to the discussion...
I have been contesting for many years with a G5RV. I found a few things out: 1) you won't compete with big guns, but who cares? You can always try to beat you own record score. 2) Buy an amp. Amps won't help you hear. but, it helps make you heard. It raised my fun level a bunch. 3) Experiment with another antenna. Loop, vertical, even a small tribander on a roof tower will increase your fun. Keep the G5, but add a vertical. I added a GAP Voyager (45' tall 20-40-80-160) this year, and it REALLY helped me on 40/80. Plus, you don't need a bunch of radials with this one.
73-Chuck KI9A
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by VE3TMT on January 23, 2008
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I agree with WM2P, you may have better luck asking your questions in the contesting section in the forums area. Nonetheless, it is still better than some of the dribble on here.
In my experience of contest operating, read "little", the big big big stations, and you know who you are DO NOT HAVE TO S&P. Us little guys come to them. Of course running high power and beam antennas help. With my 100W and vertical antenna, I have relegated myself to being a "pouncer". I have had a couple of good runs from time to time when the band conditions are good. Obviously, the S&P method will result in a lower QSO rate, as you are spending more time tuning around than you are actually working the stations.
Normally the run station will "park" on a frequency and test the station before the contest actually starts, this way when the clock strikes twelve, they are ready to go on a frequency they have been chatting on before the contest. Once the contest starts it is harder to jump in on an unoccupied frequency.
I mainly use the contests as a quick means to rack up many contacts in a short period of time. These contacts still count for WAS, DXCC and so on and you will work quite a few very quickly. I also enjoy the camaraderie. I always manage to work many of the same stations in quite few contests and it is fun to see the calls pop up and get a personal hello. But most importantly of all, have fun. I work straight 9-5 M-F, so I don't get a lot of time in front of the radio when the bands are open. So participating in a contest is a quick way to get my fix!
73, and hope to work you in the tests.
VE3TMT
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by KT8K on January 23, 2008
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I enjoy competing with my own past scores, seeing if I can improve my skills and station. I turn the rig down and compete at 5 watts to narrow down the competition and push myself a bit, and it's surprising how many times it seems to make no difference at all (propagation rules!). Since I have no tower or beam, that gives me something less than a "leaky squirt gun" to work with, but that only motivates me to improve my antennas and "plug the leaks" (lower loss).
Every year I try to add at least one new antenna, even if it's just another wire antenna in the trees (but aimed in a new direction). That way I have the fun of researching antenna designs and construction methods, putting them up and testing them, taking them down and reworking them when they still need some help (sometimes only a panicky week before the first big Fall contest), and then flipping back and forth between them to see which works best in which directions and elevation angles, and under what conditions. I have 4 now and am researching #5 for this Spring.
Running low power or QRP means you can't "run" very well. I still try, and sometimes it works, but I only give it 5 minutes or so, and go back to S&P (search and pounce) if my Qs-per-hour are slower. My N1MM software (free at www.n1mm.com, and I love it) tells me how I'm doing very nicely.
Sometimes I can do great searching for DX between the big US/Canadian signals on 40 CW, but that's where my beloved Orion comes in -- a great receiver and multiple antennas make a huge difference in contesting/operating fun. I should mention, tho, that for years I had a great time running a 1982 Tentec Argosy 525 with xtal filters (cost $180 at Dayton + about $135 for realignment at Tentec), but that also has a great receiver. It's my backup now.
I hope to catch you in the next contest, and hope you keep on having fun with ham radio. That's what it's all about.
Best rx & 73 de kt8k - Tim
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by NG1I on January 23, 2008
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OK All...thnaks for all your advice...I think it's time to end this thread and yes my main purpose is to just have fun with what I have. I did receive #1 LP CW 10M for WMA which was totally unexpected. So the consensus I get is just have fun and IF you can get other antennas, maybe an amp, and I am better off S & P. I will say people contesting on the WARC bands is a BIG no no!
Thanks all for your input and wish you all well. GL and hope to work you via contest or ragchew. (:
Frank "Never Give 1 Inch"
NG1I
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by N1BNC on January 23, 2008
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Hi Frank,
Long time no hear.
I have a lot of fun doing unconventional things in vhf contests such as running portable multi op single band.
For example, a couple of years ago a couple of friends and I borrowed a cabin in Maine, 20 or so q's later we won in that exact catagory. January blizzard conditions added to the challenge of tossing up the 2m beam and using the strong arm method of rotating.
As a result we now have a potentially budding ham and a great memory. But we also made a great pot of chili and when the band was slow we watched a couple of dvd's. Due to weather, we purposely did not go over the edge in terms of antennas and multi bands etc.
The important thing is to run with what you have and if you are not having fun, stop and fix that.
73's and glad to see you are around!
Nat
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RE: Contest Methods
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by VE3LXL on January 23, 2008
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N2WEC wrote
"Why waste air time and band space with a useless contest. A contest does not serve the public good. Nor does it support the "hobby service". It does however show what poor and rude operators there are in the world."
Why? Because it's fun. I'm not in ham radio to serve the public good. That's what government public service agencies are for. I'm in it to have fun. And I find contests fun. And apparently so do thousands and thousands of other hams, as shown by how crammed a band can be during a contest, and how vacant it is otherwise.
N1GI: You're not a leaky water pistol. I know because I am - running 100 watts or less into HF mobile whips set up temporarily on my balcony. I'd be overjoyed to be able to set up a station and antenna as good as yours. But living in a high-rise building does restrict things. But even my dribbling water pistol of a station manages to work into South America, Africa, and Europe.
K6CRC wrote: "If it were not for contests, new hams would not have any QSOs. The bands is near dead except on contest days - this is how it appears to a General of less than one year."
Agree completely. That is my experience too. Have been back into ham radio for a bit over two years. It was pretty tough making QSOs until I started taking part in contests, and in that first year I worked only two DX stations. Thanks to contests, I've now worked several dozen countries. Without contests, I'd have never learned how to operate really efficiently, and I'd never have known that my little station could actually work DX.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by G6NJR on January 23, 2008
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Contests are a pain in the butt you are looking for a rag chew and all you can hear is the 1Kw plus tribe shouting contest and generally just stomping on those that have no interest in contests .
There should be parts of 20M that are reserved for contests ie band limits work out side the limits contact dont count .
Mind you having said that in fact you can keep 20 Meters flamin Killowatt ally best contacts by far are on 17 and 40 Meters ..
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by K3YD on January 23, 2008
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Hi Frank,
You asked, "My question is do most contesters "run the frequency" or search and pounce? Or both?"
The answer is, it depends . . .
1. With your station (100 watts, wires) you can probably do a lot of running in domestic contests(i.e. SS, NAQP, state QSO parties.)
2. For major DX contests (CQWW, ARRL-DX) you probably won't be able to run much or at all. If you find you are breaking pileups on the first or second call, you may be able to generate some short runs, especially higher in the band and/or on the highest band which is open. I once "ran" 28.026 for 90 minutes with a QRP xmtr into a ground plane in ARRL-DX. But, that was only once, and back in the day of sunspots.
3. WPX (March & May) is probably your best opportunity to run some DX with a modest station 'cause that's an everybody-works-everybody contest and you have the benefit of a less common prefix.
4. Spotting information (packet, telenet) tends to produce the worst contest pileups. When running low power I don't even think about "chasing spots" till the second day when the big DX operations are begging for QSOs.
5. Even when operating from a rare or semi-rare location, where you can run for 48 hours, it is sometime beneficial to do a little S&P. I was at VP9I last fall for CQWW-phone and several times I cruised a band just to look for mults. Typically I'd pick up 3 to 6 new countries or zones from a quick band-scan.
73, Blair k3yd
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N6AJR on January 23, 2008
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If I am in a contest where I am "it" like in the california QSO party, ( the one time when you actually want to talk to yet another California station ) I will run a frequency . if in a DX contest, I will primarily do search and pounce and most time I split it up about 40 % run and 60 % S & P for a domestic contest.
I find the challange exciting and worth the effort. and may times if you get on near the end iof the contest it wil seem like some one turned the bands off at the end of the contest. contesters show you the bands are open, even if the conditions say no.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by AA9YA on January 23, 2008
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-The ones who complain about contesting and DX’ing tend to be the lids who like to jam the contesters and DX’ers.
They complain about not having any space for their stupid nets or idiotic bagchews. Yet you hear very few of them unless the band opens. Then they show up in force and move to with-in a KHz of the DX’er then complain that it’s the DX’ers fault.
They bitch and moan about contests. Yet there are very few contests that take up the entire band.
Instead of bitching…just move to the WARC bands when the contest is running.
They would just rather bitch and moan.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by K4JSR on January 23, 2008
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I am beginning to think that, N6AJR, is younger than I.
He uses "search and pounce" in a DX contest.
I use the "walk with a limp and collapse" method.
I am also beginning to think that Tom has a fan dipole hidden in his attic that is doing his aging for him!
Sigh!
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N5XM on January 23, 2008
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Tailor your contesting to doing what you enjoy. I do both (S&P and run stations)and love it. I have an Orion and a second hand Ameritron AL-80A, which I only tune to about 500W, but it makes a heck of a difference. Most times in domestic contests it's first or second call and I'm in the book. My antennas are a modest Mosley TA-33 at 45 feet, and vees for 40 and 80. Being in Arkansas, even if I had a big gun station, I'm at a disadvantage being in the middle of the country, at least during DX contests. It works great for domestic contests.
Timing is everything in contesting for the modest stations among us. Because of herniated discs and diabetes, I don't have the stamina to do as much as I used to do. 10 hours in a 24 hour period is about all I can do, and I take frequent breaks. It ain't no job, to fracture the King's English. It's just like any competitive thing, most of the competition is between your ears. Have fun and improve your scores and techniques over time. Good luck! Richard, n5xm
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Low power and walk-down-the-band
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by WA2RCB on January 23, 2008
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I am what you call a casual contester. I occasionally participate in contests just to see how far my signal will go and on the fly, meaning I don't plan a week in advance for a contest weekend unless it's Field Day weekend with our Club. I've always run either 4 watts QRP 100% battery power or 100W from home AC wall power. I especially like to fire up the old 45 Year old National NCX-3 and run the 'tube set' for a change of pace! Many are pleasantly suprised when they hear a restored 45 year old National Radio Corp vintage piece of "American Sheet Metal and Tubes" on the air! Start from the top of the band and work your way down. Take your time. ALWAYS listen more than talk. Get a feel for where the signals are comming from. Contact each station then go back to the top of the band and pick up the stragglers or switch bands. I also never call CQ but instead I look for them. When the log sheet or band is showing dupes it's time to take a break an get a cup of tea or coffee and/or a nice 1/2 bagel with cream cheese and come back on half an hour or so later. Take it easy. Enjoy yourself, have fun, and always always listen first before you push the PTT so you will not QRM the other guy as our Bands are a SHARED resource.
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RE: Low power and walk-down-the-band
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by WB2WIK on January 23, 2008
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I didn't read all the replies, but what actually works is to use both run and S&P, and knowing when to switch from one to the other is crucial if you really want to be competitive at any level. If you're just fooling around, then of course it doesn't matter at all!
The logging S/W all include a feature that displays your QSO rate as well as your score updated with each contact. IMHO if you can't hold a "run" at a rate that is good for *you,* then it's not worth holding a frequency and you should QSY or go S&P. For me personally, a run rate on a very open band is 120/hour, and I'll change something if it drops to 100. However, this is a bit flexible...as conditions fold up so do the rates, and then you just have to switch bands.
For band selection I follow the m.u.f., as almost everybody does.
What you can do per the rules varies a bit by contest, but usually a single op can't use a second rig or the DX cluster without changing category to SO2R or "assisted," or some other category. And of course you can be penalized for rapid fire band changes in many contests, so you must plan all that as part of the strategy if you're competing. If you're not competing, use six spotting receivers, the DX cluster and whatever else you want. Those who don't enter logs aren't bound by the rules.
WB2WIK/6
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N6AJR on January 23, 2008
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AH walk with a limp and colapse may be more accurate for me too. the only reason I keep my butt in the chair for more than a couple of hours is probably my legs have gone to sleep and I can't walk any how, so I may as well stay put.
I do enjoy a bit of contesting on the occasional weekend, and hope to see you there. remember all the knobs all the way to the right.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by WY3X on January 23, 2008
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I have yet to participate single-op low or high power in an HF contest. I've participated in the January, June, and September VHF contests sponsored by the ARRL, and Field Day with our local club. Some day soon I'll do an HF contest, but I haven't had the spare time required up until recently to do so.
Not bragging, just a statement that says my strategy COULD be successful: I -won- South Carolina 2003 VHF contest for six meters. It worked for me, maybe it might work for others.
I was told a long time ago by one of my elmers that during a contest, park on a frequency and call CQ. Let other stations waste their time rolling up and down the band. If, after an extended period of time, it's not working, then, and ONLY then, start search and pouncing to make sure your signal is getting out, then go back and park again after a couple of contacts to make sure your radio is working.
If you hear the band favoring one direction, point your antenna in that direction, and work it until the band changes directions.
Search and pounce only as a last resort. It takes time dialing up and down the band, and when you find someone, you waste time waiting for them to finish up with whomever they happen to be talking to at the moment. (Unless they're calling CQ.) Seconds count. Don't waste precious time waiting on someone else to finish talking, keep dialing until you hear someone calling CQ.
If you're calling CQ, don't give long calls. Give short, fast calls. Your callsign once, and the proword "contest" or "QRZed". If you say your callsign more than twice, you're going to run off someone who may be waiting to make contact with you, and possibly the band conditions may shift while you're making your "long call", so you will lose the opportunity to work them. Lost opportunity = lost points.
If you contest, do it seriously. If you want to ragchew with a serious contester, they'll quickly lose patience with you. You're costing them points!
Only give the information exchange required by the particular contest, nothing extra. For instance, the January VHF contest does not require a signal report. Don't give one unless requested! It unnecessarily consumes time. Don't -expect- to get a signal report if it's not required by the contest rules. Bothering a serious contester for non-essential information during a major contest is not good form.
Discuss QSLing quickly and only if you must. *Preferably*, send the station an e-mail after the contest using their published e-mail address on eHam.net or QRZ.com and ask if it's OK to QSL for the contact. If you discuss it during the contest, you're not only wasting the other station's time, you're also wasting YOUR time and losing contacts.
These are only my opinions, nothing is cast in stone, and your mileage may vary. And no, I don't stick to these rules 100%, they're just guidelines.
73, -KR4WM
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RE: Contest Methods
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by W6TH on January 23, 2008
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.
My family just loves contests as it gives us all plenty of time and moments to be together as a group and family.
.:
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RE: Contest Methods
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by AB0TA on January 23, 2008
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To be really competetive you must do both S&P, and run the frequency. There are some DX stations that will only search and pounce, so you have to run so they can find you. On the other hand, there are many organized contest stations and ambitous operators that will spend their time running just like you. To get as many mulitipliers as you can you must know the right balance between running and S&P.
S&P can help you get those multipliers, but running can really add to the qso count. It's all the uncertainty that makes it a great sport.
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Contest Methods
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by NN3W on January 24, 2008
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Like everything, it depends on what you goals are.
If you're going to be totally competitive AB0TA is correct. You must S&P and run - preferrably at the same time utilizing SO2R (single op, two radio methods).
Assuming you can hold a frequency and have a signal, running will most always yield higher QSO rates. It wont feel like it, but one or two QSOs a minute is often faster than S&P which puts you at the mercy of every other station tuning the band. The only exception is the first 30 to 45 minutes of a contest where I find that 1) every station is a new QSO and I can S&P at a rate of 2 a minute, and 2) because so many people are CQing, your run rate is often unreasonably low.
For those who dont have stacks and multiple towers, consider optimizing your antennas and station for a single band - but keep the other bands available. At my home station, I am not very competitive on the high bands and know that I cannot hold a run frequency in most contests. So I am strictly S&P on the high bands. On 40 and 80, I have dedicated loop arrays (2 element delta loop array on 40) and full wave quad on 80. I know I can run those bands - even with low power. So after I'm done clawing and grabbing my way around 20 and 15 meters, I run like mad on 40 and 80 in the evenings.
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Contest Methods
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by KC0JGJ on January 24, 2008
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Contesting...
Contesting???
Contesting!!!
This can be approached in many different ways.
Flame thrower. People or stations that have a huge investment in their equipment and facilities. Designed to do just that Contest, and quite literally dominate the are in the area they choose to transmit. Their station literally pushes and some times exceed the legal and physical limits of the hobby. All I can say it more power to them.... They help us to see what out maximum limits are. This is good as long as their participation is held to a moderate level of decorum.
Team / Tek. People or stations the have a radio for every band a function or capabilities for every mode. This is like walking into the bridge of the star ship enterprise. This group of contesters push the technical limits of the hobby. Out of this comes some of the most unique innovations. (Flex Radio) (Software defined products) (digital over HF). This brings a level of tek that attracts the techno geeks and young. Why play with virtual reality when you can participate.
QRP Low power clandestine. rugged individuals attempting to make as many contact or go as far as they can with just the bare minimum of equipment and enviorment.
John or Jane Q operator, Just participating to hone explore and see what can be done whit their own equipment.
I think all of the above and many others that I have not described have merits in a contesting enviorment. They all contribute the the enriching of the hobby displaying in a public way the diversity of our hobby.
As to the Leaky Squirt gun. I is not what you come to the game with. It is how you play. Its not that you are going to with the grand prize. But that you participated and honed/ developed you own skills. It kind of is like when I lived in Dallas Texas. I used to run in 5k and 10k races as well as several marathons and iron man competitions. Most of the people participated not to win but to achieve their own personal goals. To hone their own skills. Or to just enjoy this time with others participating in common activities. Its for you to determine the level that you want to participate.Your participation helps to enrich the hole of the hobby. Don't be discouraged. After Ham radio is a Contact Sport.
73'
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RE: Contest Methods
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by W9ZXT on January 24, 2008
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Frank, I run a G5RV with an old TS520 no amp. I don't get on the air to Fight, or to Win anything. You have been away from Ham Radio for 10 Years? Now that you are back on the air, have you given any thought on making QSO's just to maybe make a new friend instead of just a logbook entry?
Ever thought about joining FISTS or SKCC and getting on CW and making some slow CW contacts for those that may be new to CW? Or if you are a little rusty on CW, join and join in. SKCC and FISTS are full of nice folks. Don't like CW?
Ever thought about calling CQ on any band SSB when there is NO contest, just to maybe see who may answer? Might be a new friend you can make. Not to many people are doing this anymore. If you don't believe that, listen around for someone calling CQ that does not involve some sort of event or contest, the next couple of weeks after reading this. See what you hear?
Frank, I have found the most enjoyment from this hobby by making friends, not just logbook entries or certificates on the shack wall, but FRIENDS! If this is something that appeals to you, I hope it finds you well. If not, I hope it does in the future.
Best 73 ES God Bless!!
Nick
W9ZXT
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RE: Contest Methods
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by NG1I on January 24, 2008
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Hi Nick,
Thanks for a great e-mail....yes I was out of HR for years as the PD I worked for required I live in the city...but no more. No I'm not just on for a logbook contest entry and have have made many friends on the different bands and we still e-mail each other, even from far away as ZS. I enjoy that part the best.
It's why I keep 6M 50.125 always on to see who's calling CQ beisdes me.....
I do love CW and though my code speed has slowed down, I run Morse Tutor to bring it back up. I also am one of the principal CW op's for our clubs Field Day.
Thanks for some good advice and taking time to write.
73
Frank
"Never Give 1 Inch"
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RE: Contest Methods
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by W9ZXT on January 24, 2008
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Thanks so much Frank, I appreciate your reply. My E-mail is up on QRZ, let me know if you ever want to work some CW, or SSB QSO on a SKED. Best 73 Frank, ES God Bless!!
Nick
W9ZXT
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Contest Methods
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by KI3N on January 25, 2008
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My theory on Contest Ops:
I live on a modest property that is just inside the city limits, and work as a municipal employee that has a modest salary. That being said, I do not have room for a massive phased antenna array, multiple towers, or the budget for a 'contest' radio and a huge amp. Usually, my normal working hours impinge on the time I can work a contest anyhow.
So, I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to win...so the best that I can do is have fun. As a rule I try and work stations that show good radio procedure and etiquette and work them. By the same token I try not to 'reward' a lid with a contact. The bigger the contest, the more likely I am to use the "search & pounce" tactic. Why fight to try and hold a frequency unless there is a darn good reason? The big contests draw out the big guns and most likely they will stake out the majority of the available frequencies, with just enough spacing between them to minimize QRM. On a small national contest, a low power contest, or a 'local' contest... then I may think about "running a frequency", and the times that I have done so, its been a blast!
When you are using "search & pounce", its good to be the bait! I try to work unusual modes or locations, be mobile or portable when I can, or on emergency power ... anything that I can that may make other stations want to work me more, to improve their multiplier, points, or whatever.
I also try to work at least a bit on the 'less favored' bands, where activity may not be as heavy. Just because we are at the low point of the sunspot cycle doesn't mean there aren't great opportunities on 15m and 10m! Those big multi-multi stations may be there for the taking with just a very small pileup. I really get a kick of working stations before a band opens up and watching 'the herd' suddenly thunder over and create a massive pileup as the band cracks wide open.
And you may just want to pick up a second rig, used, cheap. I have a Kenwood TS-120s that is great for keeping an eye on other bands, (contest rules allowing). Sure, it doesn't have a computer interface, but for less than $200...its definitely given me much more than my money's worth.
And, the most important rule:
It still pays to listen before you transmit.
73,
Ken - KI3N
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Contest Methods
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by KC2PNF on January 25, 2008
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I've been getting by just fine with 100w and a fan dipole at 30 feet. I've only entered a couple contests, but I've added a few hundred QSOs to the log. I'm the type that likes to keep it short and sweet and contesting is perfect for that. If I want to jaw endlessly about the weather or what's on sale at Stuff-Mart I can get on two meters and only bother the local repeater crowd instead of 1000s of square miles worth of hams. (Not that many seem to be listening between contests and those guys on 7268 hi hi)
As for the big guns, I'll take all I can get. Let some other guy do all the heavy lifting (reads: spending) If he's got big $$$ hundreds of feet in the air and I've got a hunk of wire just above my attic, it's still a QSO!
73
KC2PNF
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Contest Methods
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by N8CPA on January 26, 2008
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I limp on one leg, swagger on the other, sometimes with two canes, sometimes in a wheelchair, and my left knee still collapses. At 100W and a multiband vertical, my signal is more like a sturdy drinking straw and a bag of dried peas, than even a "little gun." But I like busting pileups; CW-SS pileups, in particular--280 days to go until the next big foray.
Between SS events, I like to practice by participating in other CW heats; NAQP, State QP's, FD, etc. And what most nowadays call 'S&P,' I call hunt and pounce, because when I'm on a quest for multis, it's not a search, it's a hunt! And I can hold a frequency long enough to get a few answers to CQ TEST even at low power. If a big gun moves in on top of me, I can find a niche elsewhere, or go back to hunting and pouncing.
Some ask what the appeal of contesting is. What's the appeal of hitting a little white ball over acres that could be put to better use as farmland? Or, what's the appeal of video games? It's enjoyable to those who do it is the only answer.
And in a way, when you consider the enhancements of some of today's logging programs--at least the ones I use--contesting itself can be like golf or a video game. You try to compete against your previous results. You try to better your contact rate. Then, of course, you can always try to beat another participant.
And to think, I wasted my first dozen years as a ham hating contesting. The truth is, I didn't know what I was missing.
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Contest Methods
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by KL7AJ on January 27, 2008
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This depends a good deal on the type of contest. I use both methods. Search and pounce really works well for RTTY, I've found.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by 5R8GQ on January 27, 2008
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"Why waste air time and band space with a useless contest. A contest does not serve the public good."
So tell me, do the old farts on 80m talking about
their favorite laxatives serve the public good??
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N7YA on January 29, 2008
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You angry guys can get mad at contesting all you like, it wont do anything but raise your blood pressure and make you more irritated...hey, im glad to see you found a purpose in ham radio, its obviously here to make you mad, and you wont stop being mad until you change all of the rest of us into exactly what YOU personally want us to be.
Not going to happen...doesnt that just burn your arse?? :D
I will continue to enjoy contesting, DXing and the such, regardless of what the "i hate contesting" crowd thinks. I have nothing bad to say about someone who doesnt like contesting but finds something else to do, or just simply accepts the fact that tens of thousands of other hams around the world are having a great time and goes to a band or mode that the test isnt on to enjoy a qso of their own, then on sunday night, the band is all their again til the next year, no crying like little kids, just good hams rolling with the punches...im absolutely cool with that! those guys have my respect..but the vocal naysayers, the jammers, the negative ninnies can all go ram a pineapple for all i care. Theres a great contest coming up in a couple of weeks, ill be there and i hope many thousands of other stations will be too...oh wait, they will be! Just a sidenote, most contesters enjoy a good ragchew and experimenting as much as the next ham, most are just good people who REALLY like to make a dent in the ionosphere, i dont see the problem with this.
Contesting is fun, whatever it is you are into is great too as long as you are getting joy from it and it isnt causing harm to others. If bitching and complaining is what gets you off, then maybe its time to find a new hobby. I hear bonsai tree trimming is relaxing, im sure your cardiologist would agree.
73...Adam, N7YA
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Contest Methods
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by KC5R on January 30, 2008
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Try a little of both S&P and CQ. If you CQ, don't look for prime real estate (i.e. 14.225 in the first hour). Wait until later in the contest to CQ and do a lot of S&P early on.
Every contest is a bit different, and depending on the objective/conditions, most good operators tailor their operating accordingly. Even with a simple antenna and 100 W you can put up some good efforts.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N5UV on February 6, 2008
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Seriously, take the advice from the NCCC guy, he should know for sure about that stuff...and if you look for a contest calendar, there is literally some kind of contest every weekend now...some bigger/better than others, but it's pretty easy to jump in to contests now. You don't have to just do Field Day any more and wait another year to pass for the next one.
I would seriously look into doing QSO Parties if you want to be a DX-like station on the air...MA has one (I think), and there's the Mid-Atlantic, New England, NH, and VT QSO Parties to work. If you go mobile with a simple rig and a Hamstick (or Hustler antenna), you'll still get out well enough to work other stations. Hell, even just a portable set-up would be great. And you can hook up with another contest club to contribute points, they always like the extra help.
If you do the QSO Parties, one thing I have noticed is that some of the big guns, once you work them, will sometimes give you the freq. if they can't get anybody to work them in turn. This is especially helpful if you are mobile, because then they can punch the freq. in the memory bank, then S&P for a while until you change counties...this is a great technique, because they basically give you a big, clear freq. to work with, and then other stations that couldn't hear you before can now work you with easy...until you change freqs. or bands, of course.
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RE: Contest Methods
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by N2WEC on February 9, 2008
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AJ4CU, You don't know me very well. As to your comment about staying off HF on a "contest weekend"; I say bunk to that. I have the same privilages as you to operate the bands at any time. If you want to contest, fine; but lets teach new contesters "good operating habits". Clean your own house before you try to clean mine. Is the "5/9 your call again?" good operating practice or just another bad habit? Just food for thought. If you ever want to just chew the rag sometime, give me a call on 17meters sometime. I would be happy to talk with you about this or anything else. I am not trying to make an enemy. Tell me the good of contests and I will share my point of view. Maybe we both will see something new. Fair enough?
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RE: Contest Methods
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by NN3W on February 14, 2008
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You do have an obsession with the 5-9 thing.
Can you point me to the objective standard which promulgates the technical basis for the 59(9) "requirement"..
You have written over two dozen posts freaking out about 59(9). I just want to know if you know where the techical specifications for 59(9) can be found.
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