[Fists] Contest tricks

[Tim and Nancy Logan]

Satn - I thought that was a great summary and very helpful. Thanks for
taking the time to write it and put it on the reflector. Well done.
73/Tim Logan NZ7C

Stan Reas wrote:
> 
> 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
> >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
> as a stroll
> than a contest.
> 
> >2 -- Send the information once.  If I give you a 599 signal report, that
> >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
> 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
> much that
> I had an "extremely strong signal" at those folks stations.  Especially
> 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,
> 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
> >won't be
> >heard.
> 
> The "RIT" feature is built into most all rigs and is meant to be used to
> tune in the
> station who is a bit off frequency.  Sometimes being a bit off the
> 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
> in like manner
> that operator may lose a contact because the fellow who is slightly off
> 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
> 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
> >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
> looking
> for folks who can hear our "peanut whistles"
> 
> >Above all, have fun and don't take it seriously when someone tries to
> >steal your
> >QRG.
> 
> Hey, FUN is what all contests are supposed to be.  At least they are that
> to me.
> And when I stop having fun during a contest, I quit.
> 
> >(���)  73, de Hans, K0HB
> 
> P.S. My feeling is that the RST report in most contests is "useless" except
> as a
> means to indicate when the important information is to follow.  It is no
> 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
> realistic.  I will very, very
> seldom get a 599 signal report in a QRP contest.  And, I do appreciate
> getting a realistic
> signal report during all contacts.
> 
> Enough said!
> 
> 73, Stan - K4UK / QRP
> 
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