[Elecraft] Contest Reflections

[Rick Tavan N6XI]

Serious, skilled contesters play to win by maximizing rate when CQing. If
they have so many responses that it becomes difficult to pick out calls,
they QRQ to work them as quickly as possible. If they have too few
responses, they QRS to attract more callers. Faster, louder callers get
through sooner. If conditions like fading or echo make copy difficult at
high speed, skilled ops slow down.  If they are loud and fast, they win.
There may be a few "bulls in the china shop" who persist at high speed
despite indications that it's hurting their score. They lose. It's that
simple.

On the calling side, if you are weak and/or slow, you won't get through as
quickly as those who are loud and fast. Be patient. Copy repetitive exchange
items while you wait. Anticipate subsequent serial numbers. These techniques
increase your ability to complete a QSO when you do get through, even at a
higher speed than you can use for rag-chewing.  If you aren't getting
through, come back when the fast operator's rate declines. Most will QRS
when they work a slow caller, at least after a repeat request. Winning ops
want to work everyone they can. They just do it in the most rational
sequence to maximize their own score.

Did you know that a good radio makes it easier to copy at high speed?
Ringing filters, mushy audio and invasive DSP reduce your effective code
speed. That's why I love my K2 and why I look forward to the K3.

/Rick N6XI

On 5/31/07, R. Kevin Stover <rkstover at mchsi.com> wrote:
>
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> That's exactly it.
>
> I worked one field day with a bunch of guys out in the Black Hills. Each
> one of them capable and comfortable at 40+ wpm. They always ran at
> 17-22wpm with the logic being there are a lot more guys/gals out there
> that can work that speed range copying a contest exchange than there are
> guys/gals who can do 40+.
>
> They finish top 10 in the country EVERY YEAR!
>
> I'd think the same logic would work in "real" contests as well. Unless
> the speed merchants actually like sending their exchanges 10 times to
> get one Q in the log.
>
> Darwin, Keith wrote:
> > I think a heads-up contester could pick up more points by slowing down
> > during those times when the QSO rate has dropped.  Better to call one
> > time at 12 wpm and work a station than to call 10 times at 30 wpm and
> > work nobody.  I've not heard this during a contest however.  Seems most
> > are only interested in collecting high-speed points and would prefer to
> > continue calling CQ TEST at 30 wpm with no answer.
> >
> > Yea, I know speed changes are not always easy to do, but if it helps the
> > final score, I bet folks would find a way.
> >
> > - Keith N1AS -
> > - K2 5411.ssb.100 -
>
>
> - --
> R. Kevin Stover, ACØH
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-- 
"In days of old, when ops were bold, and sidebands not invented,
The word would pass, by pounding brass, and all were well contented."