1. Contesting by AA1K Jon P. Zaimes Felton, Delaware
Photo: WN3BGN in basement hamshack in Allentown, Pennsylvania, circa 1964/65

2. Through the years Photo: WA3BGN in Harrisburg, circa 1967
1964 – First licensed as WN3BGN in Allentown, Pennsylvania, at age 13. QTH a corner city lot of 1/7th acre. First QSO on July 18 with WN3BEE.
1965 – Novice Roundup was first contest. Placed 2nd in Atlantic Division with 216 QSOs, 48 sections in 34 hours (spread over 2 weeks) – for a rate of 6.35 contacts per hour. Upgraded to general class, call changed to WA3BGN. HI8XAL was first DX QSO on 160 meters.
– QTH’s in Harrisburg and West Chester, Pennsylvania; Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Minor contesting.
Photo: WA3BGN in Harrisburg, circa 1967

3. Through the years
1978 – Upgraded to extra class, new call AA1K. QTH Shelton, Connecticut, on 1/5th of an acre. Triband beam on rooftop tower; 70 feet Rohn 25 tower and 204BA. YL Jeanie licensed as WB1FAH, KA1AD then AB1P.
1981 – New job brings move to rare state of Delaware. First QTH in Countryside Farms in Bear area on 1.3 acres.
Photo: AB1P on the 100-foot Rohn 25 in Countryside Farms

4. Through the years
1984 – Join Frankford Radio Club.
– New QTH in Holly Oak, Delaware, overlooking Delaware River, on 1.9 acres. 120-foot Rohn 45, monoband yagis, Beverages.
Photo: 120-foot Rohn 45 in Hilltop Manor, overlooking Delaware River north of Wilmington. Tower was a landmark along I-495. Circa

5. Through the years
1997-present – New QTH near Felton, Delaware, on 12 rural acres. Ultimately 7 towers with stacked yagis; two multi-element vertical transmit arrays for 160 meters; Phased Beverage receiving antennas and short-vertical receiving arrays.
In , operated with W3PP multi-op team near Laurel, Delaware, in all-band DX contests.
2017 – Adjoining 5.5 acres acquired for expanded antenna farm.
Photo: Google satellite view. Left, 20-m stack; right, 40-m stack; top, high 6- and 10-m beams

6. Contesting basics Have fun competing Maintain reliable station
Improve operating skills
Set your goals
Choose your contest
Choose your level of competition
Read the rules!
Expect the unexpected. Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Photo: 40-m stack at AA1K, Hy- Gain 3-el. Discoverers

7. Station ergonomics Get comfortable! Multiple chairs may help.
Position radios, accessories and computer monitor(s) to minimize excessive body movement.
Keyboard height is important. 26 inches or so works best for me, but yours may be different.
The switches you use the most should be closest.
Adequate lighting. My choice is 5000K, close to daylight color temperature. Beware sun glare.
Keep computer monitor low, as if you are reading a book.
Photo: AA1K operating position, Feb

8. Contest planning Balance with family life. Remember the W3BGN rule.
Mark the calendar, schedule time off, let everyone know.
Test everything in advance.
Have a band plan.
Check previous results and make targets for this contest.
Get extra sleep the week before the contest.
Plan for food.
Photo: 20-meter yagi stack at W3PP (SK), before removal in /70 feet on Rohn 65.

9. Advanced techniques Photo: W3PP multi-op, 2004 ARRL DX Contest
Study propagation. Know where to be and when.
SO2R – Single operator, 2 radio can get hundreds of extra QSOs.
Dueling CQs – the ultimate in SO2R.
One keyboard or two?
Tune from the bottom, or break from the pack?
To run or search-and-pounce?
How we got VS6DO for a rare mult.
Can you be too high in the band?
Multi-op can be fun and rack up points
Photo: W3PP multi-op, 2004 ARRL DX Contest

10. Contest resources
Contesting.com website – subscribe to CQ-Contest reflector discussion group.
3830scores website – post your score right after the contest to compare with others.
NCJ – National Contest Journal published by ARRL 6 times a year.
World Radiosport Team Championship website – Olympic style ham radio competition every 4 years.
ZF2MJ (N6MJ) dueling CQs video
KP3Z (N6MJ) dueling SSB CQs ARRL DX
Photo: N6MJ operating ZF2MJ with dueling CQs, CQ WW DX CW 2016.