During slow times, like noon on 160m, you can always ask for a "real
RST" and will likely receive one. DXpedition ops will often do this to
check band conditions.
Some of my favorite 160 QSOs were at lunch time when I was in college in
IL. I would work W9QS ("W9 Queeeeer Signal, the voice of the sand
dunes.") in northern IN on 1817 kc AM.
--
73,
Mike Cizek WØVTT
On 06-Jan-16 11:35, Donald Chester wrote:
....I love contests, especially those with QRP categories AND, as a QRP
afficionado, I do wish more hams would get on the air on Top Band just for the
sake of making QSOs ----> I thoroughly enjoy working any ham on 160 CW, find
out what my RST is, the other fella's power and antenna - that sort of general
info - AND experience more about the
Propagation Princess' vagaries.
de Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV
I have never been a contest lover, but I did work the CQ 160m CW contest a
couple of times, back in the LORAN days, and once won top score for my state.
Only thing, there were but three other logs submitted from my state that year,
total. I still sometimes make it a point to get on 160m CW around high noon
local time during a Topband CW contest just see how far I can work and what
kind of signal reports I get.
But that brings up a problem with most contesters these days, the fact that your RST is
likely to be "599" regardless, even when the other op can just barely dig you
out of the noise. Same with contests on other bands, both phone and CW. That
nonsensical practice has eliminated what was erstwhile perhaps the most useful function
of contesting, and IMHO, diminishes the worthiness of contests altogether. Back when the
signal report was a real part of the exchange and contesters tended to exchange honest
reports, a major contest could be an opportunity to determine how well your station got
out, and into what localities you put the best and worst signal strength, providing some
insight to improvements you might wish make to your transmitter and antenna system.
I would find it extremely boring to spend hours exchanging meaningless numbers
in order to compile a long list of callsigns and states; I could find more
productive use for my time, but to each his own.
One thing I can guarantee, however, if you do happen to work my during a
contest you will receive an honest signal report.
Don k4kyv
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