[NLRS] September VHF contest

[Jim Spence]

 Thanks for getting the word out about Sep VHF Paul!
Some suggestions for those going analog only or primarily analog (from the perspective of a serious small all-mode station):
1a)  Do:  Transmit - a lot!  Remember - even casual digi ops Tx at close to 50% duty cycle.  This is a large part of the reason (beyond SNR benefits) that digital is very effective - digital stations know who is active because the active stations transmit frequently.  1b)  Don't: Park your Rx on the calling frequencies, never transmit, then complain about minimal QSOs.  Don't expect the other hams to transmit for you.  MAKE NOISE!1c)  It can take time to find you on bandscopes, don't Tx once every 30 minutes and expect 200/hour rates.  Please Tx often!
2)  Please reread the above, then Tx 2-3x more often than you think you need to.  Digi rates will typically be 10-20/hour for 50% duty cycle.  10-20/hour on CW or SSB is horrifically slow, I know.  Get those CW and voice keyers programmed and ready.  
3)  When changing or running bands with someone - PLEASE - PLEASE - I'M BEGGING - wait an extra second or two before hitting the band change.  Nothing is more frustrating than hearing someone (often loud) QSY, never to be heard again the rest of the weekend.
Your mileage may vary, standard limitations apply.
Hope to work you (any mode!) next weekend,
73
Jim KO9A (EN52xc - probably SO3B all-mode)


    On Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 07:25:21 PM CDT, Paul Husby <husby002 at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
   The September VHF contest is coming up next weekend.  Please post your operating plans on the spreadsheet at:
 
 https://tinyurl.com/SeptVHF2023
 
 I am probably not going to make it this year, as I leave on Monday for a wedding in Indonesia.  The September contest is the most likely one to get some aurora, and also the most likely one to have some tropo, so conditions can be surprising.  
 
 I would also echo the suggestion from W0ZQ that those operating digital modes make a point of calling CQ on SSB/CW at the top and bottom of each hour around the standard calling frequencies.  Remember, there are a good number of analog-only entrants who you are going to miss if you only operate digital.
 
 73
 Paul W0UC
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