[Fists] Contest tricks

[Stan Reas]

At 20:20 5/11/02 +0100, Hans, K0HB wrote:

My comments interspersed

>Dabbled around in the sprint today, and worked a lot of good operators. =
 Since
>(besides Morse) one of my ham radio addictions is contesting, I thought I'd
>offer some 'hints and kinks' to make you all more successful in the next=
 FISTS
>sprint.
>
>1 -- Don't dilly-dally!  This is a "sprint" after all, not a "stroll". =
 Send
>what the exchange calls for, no more -- no less.  We can chat after the=20
>contest,
>and as N9AVG mentioned, exchange CC numbers, etc at another time.

Perhaps a member is proud to have his CC number.  It doesn't bother me to=
 have
the CC# sent during a Sprint.  Of course I consider the FISTS Sprint more=20
as a stroll
than a contest.

>2 -- Send the information once.  If I give you a 599 signal report, that=20
>means I
>copy you really well, so repeats are not needed. This is especially true if
>you're QRP.  If there's QSB like there was today, you may fade out of sight
>during a longer transmission.

The "S" (Signal Strength) report is the means to indicate relative strength=
=20
of the
received signal.  The "R" (Readabilty) report is the means to indicate how=
 you
COPY the signal.

Per my reading of the R-S-T System "S-9" means Extremely Strong Signal.  I=
 was
running  QRP and received nine "599" reports out of 21 QSO's.  I doubt very=
=20
much that
I had an "extremely strong signal" at those folks stations.  Especially=20
when some of
them asked me for repeats on my state or name or number.

I pride myself in giving realistic signal reports on every contact.  And,=20
Hans you were 589 - NOT
599 on 15 Meters at 1841 UTC.  You WERE 599 on 20 Meters at 1907.

>3 -- Zero beat the station you're calling.  During contests the bands are
>generally crowded, and many operators will have their filters narrowed down=
 to
>avoid QRM.  If you don't call them exactly on their frequency, then you=20
>won't be
>heard.

The "RIT" feature is built into most all rigs and is meant to be used to=20
tune in the
station who is a bit off frequency.  Sometimes being a bit off the=20
frequency will get
you heard because your note may be unique.

Agree that if the operator is not using his RIT "you won't be heard" - but=
=20
in like manner
that operator may lose a contact because the fellow who is slightly off=20
frequency will just
quit calling him and go call someone else who is using his RIT.


>4 -- "/QRP" is not part of your call sign.  It's only 4 more characters=
 that I
>have to copy, slowing down our exchange.

Now why do some of us QRP'ers send "/QRP" ?  I agree it is unnecessary.

But we often do it to alert the station we are calling why our signal is=
 weak.
And the extra few characters may just be heard after the "din" of a pile-up
subsides.

Often the station being called will not be able make out anything in the=
 "din",
but will hear the "/QRP" and often come back with "? QRP Pse".

I've worked many a "rare" DX station from my mobile by signing K4UK / M and
have the DX station come back "? /M Pse"

>5 --  If you're using a beam, turn your antenna away from the prevailing
>propagation.  For example, if you're in Ohio and hear the W1/2/3/4 boys and
>girls really strong, point your antenna west.  You'll still hear those=
 strong
>east-coasters, and now you'll also hear the weaker W6/7 folks too.

And those of us who don't have beams need to try different antennas if they=
=20
have
them.  Don't lock into only one antenna for the contest.

>6 -- Make yourself visible.  When your running frequency starts to get=
 slow,
>move up/down the band, or to a different band.  Yes, I know your best=20
>antenna is
>your dipole on 40 meters, but hey, if you've worked everyone on 40, that=
 same
>antenna will work on 15.

Us QRP types seldom can "run" a frequency.  We are generally the S & P
(Search & Pounce) folks in the contests.  So we move all over the bands=20
looking
for folks who can hear our "peanut whistles"

>Above all, have fun and don't take it seriously when someone tries to=20
>steal your
>QRG.

Hey, FUN is what all contests are supposed to be.  At least they are that=20
to me.
And when I stop having fun during a contest, I quit.


>(=A9=BF=A9)  73, de Hans, K0HB

P.S. My feeling is that the RST report in most contests is "useless" except=
=20
as a
means to indicate when the important information is to follow.  It is no=20
longer used
in the Sweepstakes, which therefore requires you to copy all data sent.

In QRP contests the RST is meaningful, because it is generally=20
realistic.  I will very, very
seldom get a 599 signal report in a QRP contest.  And, I do appreciate=20
getting a realistic
signal report during all contacts.

Enough said!

73, Stan - K4UK / QRP