[NLRS] Contest Comments

[N0HJZ@aol.com]

Hi All -

I'll find my log and post my score but I wanted to throw out a couple 
observations from the past weekend.  I don't want them to sound like gripes but would 
like to get feedback on this.  I think we can do a few things to increase 
everyones scores and improve our contest operating.

1) Calling Freqs - I know we've mentioned it before but the calling freqs get 
pretty loud with locals.  Someone new comes on the band and twenty guys want 
to work him.  Working all the locals on 2M can take 5-10 minutes.  If you get 
on the air and you have a bunch of locals calling you, let everyone know that 
you're going to QSY down 50 kHz or more.  If they want the QSO, they'll follow 
you.  

2) QSY a bunch.  I heard a few locals say "This is N0XXX QSY'ing down three 
(or five).  That does nothing to clear the calling freq.  Try to QSY a good 
distance from the calling freqs.

3) Calling stations - If you want to work a station, call him.  I know that 
certain stations wanted to work me.  Instead of calling me, they would call on 
my frequency "N0XXX listening."  If you want to work me, you need to say 
"N0HJZ, this is N0XXX."

4) CW QSO's - Make 'em short so other guys can work the station.  I'd hear 
the band come up and someone would work a station out 300-400 miles.  Instead of 
a quick "RR EN34, EN34 73 dit dit"  I would hear "RRR RRR EN34 EN34 GL GL 73 
73 GL GL 73 73 N0XXX N0XXX DE N0XXX N0XXX 73 73 K K K" etc.  Meanwhile the 
band has peaked and the station has started to drop.  A few others have missed 
their chance at this guy for a while.  A short QSO works great and lets others 
get in on the fun.

Just a few suggestions.  Anyone else observe this or have other comments?

Rich N0HJZ