[ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

[Jim Funk]

Put up a wire dipole, one that will allow you to work at least 20 and 40 meters, as high as you can get it.

Test it ahead of time. Make sure it loads properly.  Be sure you haven't selected a location with high line noise.

Call CQ a lot. Announce yourself as "portable in rare Cass County Illinois."  If you can also work 75 meters, ask stations to move there from 40 meters and work you again.

Listen for weak mobiles calling.  Stand by for "mobiles only" once in awhile.  They will usually be a multiplier for you, and they are not going to stick around long if you ignore them under a stream of louder fixed stations.

Spin the dial once in awhile and "cherry-pick" the loud stations who are also CQing.  Dig a bit for the mobiles who might be audacious enough to try CQing....

If you have an amplifier, use it.

Be prepared to be "interrupted" by questions from passersby.  Give them the time they need to ask questions.  This is partly "contest" and partly "PR".  Get some promotional materials from ARRL and/or your local club to pass out.

If you can work CW *at all*, take along the equipment to do so.  You will vastly increase your score if all you do is call the stations that are easy to work on CW. Call at the speed that's comfortable for you. Almost all of them will slow down.

Have fun!
73, Jim N9JF

-----Original Message-----
From: ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net [mailto:ilqso-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Frank Anderson KC9IDX
Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 4:26 PM
To: Illinois QSO Party
Subject: Re: [ILQSO] Illinois QSO Party

Add me "KC9IDX" to the list for Cass County. My plan is to work portable
from Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Park.

This will be my first real attempt at a contest. Any pointers would be
greatly appreciated.

Thanks! 73!
Frank Anderson "KC9IDX"
Emergency Coordinator
Amateur Radio Emergency Services "A.R.E.S."
for Cass, Morgan and Scott Counties in Illinois
Frank at KC9IDX.com Info at K9JX.com www.K9JX.com
(217) 248-4101

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