[Elecraft] I used to hate contests!

Sun Dec 8 10:29:02 2002

Parker -
Like you I am a "casual" operator. I most enjoy cw ragchew. However, last
month I put just a little time in on the CQWWCW contest to practice copying
call signs at higher speeds (I'm currently pushing it to copy 22wpm - cause
I've only been a Ham about 27 months). I had never tried contest exchanges
and  found that it is a pretty great way to improve speed (although not for
ragchewing hi hi) as well as  locate a number of new countries etc. I use a
program called PrologII (find it at  http://www.prolog2k.com/). I have the
program connected on a laptop connected to the K2, but it doesn't NEED to be
connected. I chose this program because it is perfectly mated to my type of
activity. One of my requirements was to be able to have total flexibility
totrack FISTS Club awards and other "non-traditional" awards like K2 WAS.
The program is ideal for that type of thing and everything else I've ever
tried or needed. The fellow that sells it is named Ed and his service and
support is on par with Elecraft - great guy who has always responded to
questions within a few hours. He even respons on weekends, but probably that
was just a lucky day for me hi hi.
  Anyway, after the contest I called him up and asked about the Cabrillo
computer disk format that is mentioned in many contests. One thing I learned
from a friend is that it's a nice idea to turn in a computer log even if
your participation in a contests is small - it helps the big guys. A lot of
programs are designed for strictly contest use -  I wanted more flexibility.
In Prolog I can make a whole separate log for a contest (merge it with other
logs if I want as well). There is a product called "Contest Tools"  that is
great for putting your date into the Cabrillo format if your logger does not
do it  (see . http://www.wt4i.com/).
Prolog was not designed to be a "contest" program...it was designed for
people like me who want lots of flexibility and ease of use. I'm just
setting up Contest Tools now...but so far they have been very responsive to
questions. You don't HAVE to buy Contest Tools...you could use a simple
Excel sheet to make the cabrillo format....but I was being lazy and Contest
Tools is not expensive....neither is Prolog to my mind.
  All of this may sound like overkill from a simple handwritten log.....but
when I started trying to sort contacts for various awards....I  IMMEDIATELY
new the logger was an essential part of my shack. Connecting it to the radio
is a simple by-product - it will read the frequency etc off of the rig.
Again, these programs don't have to be connected to the rig. By the way the
program can also be used with antenna rotators (I should be so lucky).
  I hope this helps you on your question.

73/Tim NZ7C
----- Original Message -----
From: "Parker Buckley" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 7:15 AM
Subject: [Elecraft] I used to hate contests!

> Over the weekend, with intemittent operation, I worked 106
> stations on 160M with K2 2636 at 5 watts to a folded
> inverted L.   I just finished the K2 a few weeks ago and got
> it debugged with some help here.  Tom Hammond told me
> recently to not start modding anything until I had some fun
> with the radio.  Well, I sure had fun!  I could work about
> 80% of the stations I could hear; maybe 80% of those asked
> for repeats.  Only twice can I recall the other op giving up
> on hearing me.  Some stations can definitely hear better
> than others.  Best distance from here in OH was AZ.  Off
> topic, I'd like to hear from anyone who logs with a computer
> while sending and receiving with the basic radio (no
> computer involved).  Not sure I see the utility of that yet,
> and I'm not inclined to use a keyboard for sending.  I'm
> getting the fever, which would never have happened QRO!
>
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