1. LARG – CONTESTING 101 W4AU and N4PD May 19, 2007

2. W4AU & N4PD INTRODUCTION Why enter a ham radio contest / QSO Party? Why enter a ham radio contest / QSO Party? Good test of your stations capabilities Good test of your stations capabilities Good way to improve your operating skills Good way to improve your operating skills Good way to learn how to use your equipment Good way to learn how to use your equipment Good way to collect awards: DXCC, WAS, etc. Good way to collect awards: DXCC, WAS, etc. Its a challenge and a lot of fun! Its a challenge and a lot of fun!

3. N4PD PREPARATION Know your stations strengths and weaknesses Know your stations strengths and weaknesses Know how to use your logging program Know how to use your logging program Read over the contest rules – keep copy handy Read over the contest rules – keep copy handy Exchange Exchange Times and frequencies Times and frequencies Categories Categories Propagation – make a band plan Propagation – make a band plan Look over old results Look over old results Be ready when the contest starts Be ready when the contest starts

4. W4AU STRATEGY Choose contest and category carefully Choose contest and category carefully Single band entry if only one good antenna Single band entry if only one good antenna Dont try QRP with poor antennas Dont try QRP with poor antennas Decide if serious or just playing ahead of time Decide if serious or just playing ahead of time Know what band to start on and where to talk Know what band to start on and where to talk

5. N4PD TACTICS Search and Pounce Search and Pounce Easier, operate at your own pace Easier, operate at your own pace Can sweep new band fast Can sweep new band fast Multiple chances to get exchange correct Multiple chances to get exchange correct Lower overall rate compared to running Lower overall rate compared to running Not so good for in-state in QSO Parties Not so good for in-state in QSO Parties Can enter assisted category and use spotting Can enter assisted category and use spotting

6. W4AU TACTICS, cont Running Running Best consistent rates Best consistent rates Takes more skill and experience Takes more skill and experience Have to be confident of abilities, esp. on CW Have to be confident of abilities, esp. on CW May miss some key mults May miss some key mults Have to know when to move Have to know when to move

7. N4PD & W4AU OPERATING TIPS - SSB Learn to tune in a station quickly and accurately Learn to tune in a station quickly and accurately Remember: Down on LSB and up on USB Remember: Down on LSB and up on USB Speak clearly with standard phonetics Speak clearly with standard phonetics Give complete call once, NOTHING ELSE Give complete call once, NOTHING ELSE Keep voice excited, modulated, and urgent Keep voice excited, modulated, and urgent Dont rag chew or slow down when rate high Dont rag chew or slow down when rate high Keep track of other stations calling Keep track of other stations calling Use pre-recorded audio judiciously Use pre-recorded audio judiciously

8. W4AU & N4PD OPERATING TIPS - SSB Lure noncompetitive stations when in QPs Lure noncompetitive stations when in QPs Calling anybody, anywhere… Calling anybody, anywhere… Big signal from Wisconsin… Big signal from Wisconsin… First time thru the band give callsign immediately – tailend First time thru the band give callsign immediately – tailend Learn how to find a clear frequency for CQ Learn how to find a clear frequency for CQ

9. W4AU OPERATING TIPS - CW Set CW speed to at least 20 wpm Set CW speed to at least 20 wpm Get the exchange and call from previous QSO Get the exchange and call from previous QSO Call with only callsign; no DE, no /QRP, etc. Call with only callsign; no DE, no /QRP, etc. Tune down the band rather than up Tune down the band rather than up Need to change CW sideband – reverse Need to change CW sideband – reverse

10. W4AU OPERATING TIPS - CW Big Secret: CW contesting is easier than SSB! Big Secret: CW contesting is easier than SSB! Can copy when not exactly zero beat on freq. Can copy when not exactly zero beat on freq. QRM less of a factor; use narrow BP filters QRM less of a factor; use narrow BP filters Huge improvement in S/N ratio over SSB Huge improvement in S/N ratio over SSB You can run stations with 100 watts, even mobile You can run stations with 100 watts, even mobile

11. N4PD & W4AU HARDWARE It all starts and ends with the antenna It all starts and ends with the antenna Resonant antennas are better Resonant antennas are better You can hear everything, but you cant hear anything… (AI2C) You can hear everything, but you cant hear anything… (AI2C) Do the best that you can and then operate Do the best that you can and then operate Radio needs good front end Radio needs good front end Big contests = stressful listening, esp. on SSB Big contests = stressful listening, esp. on SSB Interface radio with logging computer Interface radio with logging computer Automatic frequency info and CW sending Automatic frequency info and CW sending

12. W4AU HARDWARE - LOGGING Why Why Dont have to worry about dupe sheets Dont have to worry about dupe sheets Send CW messages automatically Send CW messages automatically Log ready to submit at the end of contest Log ready to submit at the end of contest Other: mults, rate, band map, etc. Other: mults, rate, band map, etc. How How Serial or parallel CW keying Serial or parallel CW keying Serial rig control Serial rig control

13. W4UA & N4PD FIELD DAY Perfect time for learning Perfect time for learning Many Elmers around to help out – ask questions Many Elmers around to help out – ask questions Different rigs and modes to try Different rigs and modes to try Lower stress than a real contest Lower stress than a real contest Dont have to spend a long times in the chair Dont have to spend a long times in the chair Remember, its a domestic contest Remember, its a domestic contest Need to optimize openings to prime targets Need to optimize openings to prime targets

14. QUERIES FROM AI2C Do you know what call areas you should be working? Do you know what call areas you should be working? Can you tune in a sideband signal very quickly? Can you tune in a sideband signal very quickly? Do you ever think you are off frequency? Do you ever think you are off frequency? Is your receiver sharp enough? Is your receiver sharp enough? Does your voice crack the pile-ups? Does your voice crack the pile-ups? Do you work them on no more than two calls? Do you work them on no more than two calls? Do you move on quickly to the next one? Do you listened to your own voice? Do you use a foot switch or VOX? Do you first S&P on a new band? Do you copy the full call the first time? Do you move on quickly when they do not respond?

15. QUERIES FROM AI2C Are you aware of your rates? Are you aware of your rates? Can you find a "hole?" Can you find a "hole?" Can you 'hold' a frequency? Can you 'hold' a frequency? How long do you keep trying to work a weak station? How long do you keep trying to work a weak station? Does your receiver overload? Does your receiver overload? Do you or can you turn down your RF gain? Do you or can you turn down your RF gain? Do you or can you adjust your selectivity? Are your filters tight enough? Do you use headphones? Do you follow the prop? Are you there when the band opens? Do you change bands when it goes dead?

16. QUERIES FROM AI2C What do you do when folks don't hear you? What do you do when folks don't hear you? Do you know when to "fold them?" Do you know when to "fold them?" Is your antenna oriented correctly? Is your antenna oriented correctly? Do you have a "flat" transmission line? Do you have a "flat" transmission line? Does all your power get radiated? Does all your power get radiated? Do you monitor your ALC? Do you monitor your ALC? Do you monitor your SWR? Do you have a gain antenna? Do you point your antenna into the region? Can you copy CW at 25 WPM? Do you "stay in the chair?"