Presented by: Mark Ketchell, K5ER Used / Edited with permission from Bruce Draper, AA5B. Getting Started in Contesting. Much of this material was created by Gary Schmidt W5ZL Gale Zeiler WB0YEA Susan King K5DU of the Central Texas DX and Contest Club. WB0YEA. AB5K. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Getting Started in Getting Started in Contesting Contesting Presented by: Presented by: Mark Ketchell, K5ER Mark Ketchell, K5ER Used / Edited with permission from Used / Edited with permission from Bruce Draper, AA5B Bruce Draper, AA5B Much of this material was created by Much of this material was created by Gary Schmidt W5ZL Gary Schmidt W5ZL Gale Zeiler WB0YEA Gale Zeiler WB0YEA Susan King K5DU Susan King K5DU of the Central Texas DX and Contest Club of the Central Texas DX and Contest Club
Transcript
Getting Started in Getting Started in ContestingContesting
Presented by:Presented by:
Mark Ketchell, K5ERMark Ketchell, K5ER
Used / Edited with permission fromUsed / Edited with permission from
Bruce Draper, AA5BBruce Draper, AA5BMuch of this material was created byMuch of this material was created by Gary Schmidt W5ZLGary Schmidt W5ZL Gale Zeiler WB0YEAGale Zeiler WB0YEA Susan King K5DUSusan King K5DUof the Central Texas DX and Contest Clubof the Central Texas DX and Contest Club
Big Gun or Little PistolBig Gun or Little Pistol
No matter what size station you’re operating, No matter what size station you’re operating, it’s a thrill to talk to somebody far away.it’s a thrill to talk to somebody far away.
Contests let you do that many times in one Contests let you do that many times in one weekend!weekend!
WB0YEA
AB5KAB5KAB5KAB5K
What We’ll CoverWhat We’ll Cover
• What kind of ham enters a contest?What kind of ham enters a contest?
• What’s the object?What’s the object?
• Getting started in contestingGetting started in contesting
• The variety of contest typesThe variety of contest types
Who enters a contest? WhyWho enters a contest? Why??• The Casual ContesterThe Casual Contester
A desire to just have some fun, improve operating skills, and work A desire to just have some fun, improve operating skills, and work new countries, states, counties, etc. from the smorgasbord of new countries, states, counties, etc. from the smorgasbord of
participating stationsparticipating stations
• The Feisty ContesterThe Feisty Contester A desire to competeA desire to compete
… … individually, or as part of a club.individually, or as part of a club.
• The Committed ContesterThe Committed Contester Able to leap tall buildings with a single boundAble to leap tall buildings with a single bound
Able to master the art of sleep deprivationAble to master the art of sleep deprivation
CQ CQ Contest!Contest!
N2IC in actionN2IC in action
Benefits of ContestingBenefits of Contesting
• It’s just FUNIt’s just FUN– Gets the competitive juices flowingGets the competitive juices flowing
• Improves operating skillsImproves operating skills– Excellent preparation for emergency operationsExcellent preparation for emergency operations
• Add large numbers to your “contacts” listAdd large numbers to your “contacts” list– good for DXCC, WAS, ie. chasing wallpapergood for DXCC, WAS, ie. chasing wallpaper
• An excellent use of our allocated spectrumAn excellent use of our allocated spectrum
Remember: “Use it or lose it.”Remember: “Use it or lose it.”
Do I Have to Have a “Contest Station”?
• Plenty of Big Gun contest stationsPlenty of Big Gun contest stations– Multiple radiosMultiple radios– Multiple towersMultiple towers– Serious station automationSerious station automation
• Also plenty of “normal” stationsAlso plenty of “normal” stations• There are opportunities for “guest operating”There are opportunities for “guest operating”
You don’t have to be a Big Gun You don’t have to be a Big Gun to have Big Fun contesting!to have Big Fun contesting!
How to Win a ContestHow to Win a Contest
• Work a lot of stationsWork a lot of stations
• Work as many “multipliers” as possibleWork as many “multipliers” as possible
• Work smartWork smart– Make good band change decisionsMake good band change decisions
– Use efficient operating techniquesUse efficient operating techniques• Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency operations)Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency operations)
• Know when to “Run” and when to “Search & Pounce”Know when to “Run” and when to “Search & Pounce”
• Know when to take a breakKnow when to take a break
Efficient TechniquesEfficient Techniques• When you’re getting started, spend a lot of time When you’re getting started, spend a lot of time
listening to other stations. After a little while, it’ll listening to other stations. After a little while, it’ll be obvious to you who’s doing it right.be obvious to you who’s doing it right.
• Simple things can make a big difference.Simple things can make a big difference.– On CW, “TEST N2UT” On CW, “TEST N2UT” vsvs “CQ TEST DE N2UT” can save enough time “CQ TEST DE N2UT” can save enough time
during the weekend to work a hundred more stations!during the weekend to work a hundred more stations!
– On phone, “Thanks, VP5K” On phone, “Thanks, VP5K” vsvs “Thank you, QRZed contest, this is “Thank you, QRZed contest, this is VP5K” can save enough time (AND YOUR VOICE) to work hundreds VP5K” can save enough time (AND YOUR VOICE) to work hundreds more QSOs.more QSOs.
Many different types of contestsMany different types of contests
• SSB, CW, RTTYSSB, CW, RTTY• DX DX
ARRLARRL, , CQWWCQWW, , IARUIARU, , WPXWPX, foreign hosted, etc., foreign hosted, etc.• National National
Field DayField Day, , SweepstakesSweepstakes, , NAQPNAQP, , VHFVHF//UHFUHF, State QSO Parties, etc., State QSO Parties, etc.• Specialty Specialty
SprintsSprints, , SKNSKN, etc., etc.
A Contest for All Seasons/TastesA Contest for All Seasons/Tastes
ARRL ARRL Field DayField Day
ARRL ARRL SKNSKN
ARRL ARRL DXDX
NAQPNAQP
SprintSprint
CQ WW DXCQ WW DX
ARRL ARRL 160160 ARRL ARRL
1010
State QSO PartiesState QSO Parties(Many)(Many)
ARRL ARRL VHFVHF
CQ WPXCQ WPX
IARU HF World IARU HF World ChampionshipsChampionships
ARRL ARRL SweepstakesSweepstakes
ARRL ARRL RTTYRTTY
ARRL ARRL UHFUHF
SprintSprint
Beginner to ExpertBeginner to Expert
LAQPLAQP
NAQPNAQP
ARRL ARRL VHFVHF
JanJan
DecDec
Multiple categoriesMultiple categories
Single operatorSingle operatorPacket-assisted or unassistedPacket-assisted or unassisted
PowerPowerQRP, low, highQRP, low, high
Single band and/or mode (some contests)Single band and/or mode (some contests)
Multi-op, single transmitterMulti-op, single transmitter Multi-op, multi-transmitterMulti-op, multi-transmitter
. . . designed to let you compete on a level playing field. . . designed to let you compete on a level playing field
When are contests run?When are contests run?Almost always on weekendsAlmost always on weekends
Starting/ending times vary by contestStarting/ending times vary by contest
Durations as short as 4 hoursDurations as short as 4 hours
As long as 48 hoursAs long as 48 hours
Maximum allowed operating hours also varyMaximum allowed operating hours also vary
Good on-line contest calendar: Good on-line contest calendar:
Advanced Operation:Advanced Operation:Interfacing Your RadioInterfacing Your Radio
Examples of SO2RExamples of SO2R
K5ER N6TR K5ZD
Take full advantage of automation -band decoders, automatic antenna switchers, Bandpass Filters, etc.
How do I report my results?How do I report my results?• OfficiallyOfficially
– Snail mailSnail mail– e-maile-mail
• Cabrillo file generated by most computerized Cabrillo file generated by most computerized logging programs (may be required to be logging programs (may be required to be declared a winner)declared a winner)
• On the air (right after the contest, 3830 kHz)On the air (right after the contest, 3830 kHz)• http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
Example: Example: WA State QSO Party “Salmon RunWA State QSO Party “Salmon Run” ” category winners receive smoked salmoncategory winners receive smoked salmon
Check the sponsor’s web site for rulesCheck the sponsor’s web site for rules
Get on the Air and LISTENGet on the Air and LISTEN
Different Contests each have their own Different Contests each have their own “Rhythm”“Rhythm”
When comfortable with format, answer a few CQ’sWhen comfortable with format, answer a few CQ’s
Speed will come with practice, When you start off, strive to Speed will come with practice, When you start off, strive to log as ACCURATELY as possiblelog as ACCURATELY as possible
ALWAYS send in your logALWAYS send in your log
How Do I Get Started?How Do I Get Started?
Little Gun:Little Gun:
With just dipoles and 100 watts, you won’t With just dipoles and 100 watts, you won’t compete against the “Big Guns”compete against the “Big Guns”You can, however, “Search and Pounce” very You can, however, “Search and Pounce” very
effectively. Start low in the band and work those effectively. Start low in the band and work those calling CQ - ALWAYS send your whole callcalling CQ - ALWAYS send your whole call
Especially in the final 1/4 of the contest, try calling CQ. Especially in the final 1/4 of the contest, try calling CQ. That’s when the “Big Guns” are trolling for mults and That’s when the “Big Guns” are trolling for mults and they will come to youthey will come to you
How Do I Get Started?How Do I Get Started?
Medium Gun:Medium Gun:
Low band dipoles, small to medium Tri- or Mono-Low band dipoles, small to medium Tri- or Mono-banders and 500-600 watts, under certain banders and 500-600 watts, under certain conditions, you can compete against the “Big conditions, you can compete against the “Big Guns”. Guns”.
Radios with GOOD filtering become importantRadios with GOOD filtering become important
Be AggressiveBe Aggressive
How Do I Get Started?How Do I Get Started?
Big Gun:Big Gun:
Low band RX arrays, Big/Stacked Tri- or Mono-Low band RX arrays, Big/Stacked Tri- or Mono-banders and legal limit, you banders and legal limit, you areare running with the running with the Big Dogs. Selectivity becomes important. Big Dogs. Selectivity becomes important.
Call sign DatabaseCall sign Database
Think LOUDThink LOUD
Not On the air -- OWN THE AIRNot On the air -- OWN THE AIR
How Do I Get Started?How Do I Get Started?
All Stations:All Stations:
Let’s put Louisiana on the contest map!Let’s put Louisiana on the contest map!
Join the LCC, Submit your scoresJoin the LCC, Submit your scores
Watch OUR club climb the ranks and Watch OUR club climb the ranks and become a National Contenderbecome a National Contender
Questions & AnswersQuestions & Answers
Closing CommentsClosing Comments• Get on the AirGet on the Air• Make some Q’sMake some Q’s• and most importantly -and most importantly -• HAVE FUN!HAVE FUN!
• Remember - Contesting IS a contact sportRemember - Contesting IS a contact sport
