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11-17 of 17 messages
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by KI4OSD on January 17, 2007
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I have very little contest experience but I contest against myself. For example in the 10 meter contest I worked about 4 hours got 22 states and canada and a couple other countries so next year I would like to beat that.Getting in slowly is the best I am currently running a ground mounted vertical with a Kenwood 570sg with 100 watts. I have purchased a 2 element quad that will be going up soon I already have a small amp and I enjoy cw contest more than phone I am still working on building my small station really to compete and get better at it than one day really jump in.Thanks guys all of your suggestions have been very helpful.
Thanks
Shane
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by WK0F on January 21, 2007
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Hi Shane,
I am what you would call a small pistol in the black hole of the US (midwest). I've been contesting off and on for about 20 years or so. I have never owned an amp, and my antennas have never been higher than 40 feet. My current setup is a Kenwood TS-480S and a Traffie Hexbeam at 40 feet. The low band antenna is a Butternut ground mounted vertical. I have done respectable in my region in both dx and domestic contests. You don't need to have a super station to compete in contests. Here are my recommendations:
1. Put your money in the antennas.
2. Work as many contests as you can (SSB, CW, RTTY, QRP, etc)
3. Participate in the contests other than just ARRL's and CQ's. You'd be surprised how much fun the foreign tests are!
4. Study propagation and learn how to maximize your scores.
5. Unless you're super competitive, work on improving your scores from previous contests. Don't worry about the big guns!
6. Just have fun!
73,
Terry, WK0F
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by K0RS on May 24, 2009
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Shane,
I think what you need at this point more than anything is a mentor or two. I see you live in Chattanooga, which is a fairly large urban area. There are bound to be numerous contestors near you. Are you a member of a club? Rub elbows with some of the locals and find out who your area contestors are and make a point to seek them out. If you're lucky, maybe you can wrangle and invitation to a multi-multi operation near you. I think once you get some experience under your belt a lot of your questions will begin to answer themselves.
You need to decide what your goals really are and what is feasible from you physical location given your limitations. WK0F's experience shows that you can have a lot of fun with a modest set-up. If you're looking to actually compete to win classes, you may find some frustration if you don't have room for multiple towers and larger antennas. You're smart to compete in CW contests because to some degree operator skill can compensate for the lack of lots of big gun hardware. An amplifier may be counter-productive in that it will put you up against much stiffer competition. Maybe the 100w class or even QRP would work out better. If you're only competing against yourself, then it really doesn't matter. Just work on your skills and concentrate on improving.
Different contests require different approaches and different hardware. DX contest will favor guys who can install big, high antennas. However you can be competitive in domestic contests like Sweepstakes with a much more modest installation. Once the solar cycle gets underway, you can have lots of fun on the higher bands (10 & 15 meters) with some really modest sized antennas. With experience, you can select classes where you will be able to do surprisingly well without building a monster station. Good luck.
Larry, K0RS
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by AB3CX on May 27, 2009
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Start basic..learn to use contesting software, computer rig control with spotting, and whatever you have. Get a wireless mouse, a decent computer (a Pentium 4 is fine if you dont run an SDR). Get proficient and improve until your station limits you. More antenna will help alot. You can compete in QRP or low power, so an amp is not essential.
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by VE3CX on May 28, 2009
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First things first.
The first thing you need is a radio. I would start with something like a FT-1000MP, and install an Inrad roofing filter. This will serve you well for many years. Spend some bucks on a good, used, contest grade radio.
Next, we need a computer. An older PC will be fine. N1MM is a great program, and is free. Don't let the price fool you - its great. A CRT will be fine (cost effective).
Next, we need a tower and antennas of some sort. Many great suggestions have already been made.
I would NOT buy an amp at this point, for several reasons. Spend your money on antennas - that way you can transmit better AND hear better. Low power contesting will help fine-tune your operating skills. When running HP, this puts into into the HIGH POWER category in most contests. The folks with big antennas, SO2R and every operating aid they can affort run in this category (SOHP). By running low power, you are competing against similar stations - tribanders, one radio, etc. Low power also helps minimize RFI type issues, both in your home and your neighbourbood.
Later on (as in quite a few years later), should you have the funds and still feel the need to run high power, THEN get an amp. Once you know how to effectively use low power, and learn most of the tricks, you will be surprised how effective an amp can be. Buying one now will not get you those critical operating skills.
When looking for gear, buy USED stuff. At this point, you are just learning the ropes. Will you make mistakes? Hell YES!! This will help stretch your budget, and when you do make a mistake, minimize the effect. The one exception I would make is your operating chair - go to an office supply place and buy a comfortable chair. You WILL be spending a lot of time in it, may as well be comfortable!
Last, but not least, look around on the web. There are lots of station pictures, writeups, etc. Most of what you find - the folks have a lot more money to spend, and have been at it for a lot longer. Once you get over the WOW!! factor of that, look beyond that to find good ideas you can incorporate into your own station.
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by AD6WL on May 30, 2009
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>by KZ4USA on May 22, 2009
>"Say the budget is $50,000 or more???"
Radios: 2) IC7600
Amps: 2) ACOM 2000A
Towers: US Tower: HDX-589MDPL, TX-472
Towers: Big Bertha or Lasko if you want to go way over the 50K budget
Antennas: Force12 C51XRN, Sigma 280S, C39XRN
SO2R Controller: Microham MK2R+
Filters: any of these are good: ICE 419B, Dunestar600, W3NQN
Antenna Controller: Array Solutions SixPak
Software: Writelog
Computer w/dual monitors
Rotors: Yaesu: G-2800DXA, G1000DXA
Rotor Controller: 2) Idiom Press Rotor Card DXA
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