Here are some contest "secrets," originally prepared for a
pre-SS training session for the Southern California Contest Club
two years ago. Some of the "secrets" are for West Coast stations
in the SS, but most of them have general application. Hope you
find them interesting.
K6LL CONTEST HINTS
BEFORE THE CONTEST
Make a checklist like this one, customized to the needs of your
individual station.
Set Computer to exact UTC time.
Set up computer files, cw/voice memories, keyboard overlay.
Simulate a few qso's on the computer, with rig interfaced, then
erase log file.
Get prop forecast and make Miniprop runs.
Review past contest logs and magazine results.
Simultaneously update amp tuning chart, tuner memories, and check
for rfi at 1500w, all bands, computer interfaced.
Contest eyeglasses handy. (Non-bifocal)
Lozenges handy for phone.
Coffee cup heater in place.
Make sure computer boots clean, with no unnecessary TSR's.
Verify attenuator, AIP, notch, noise blanker, split frequency
all off.
Air Conditioner vents max open in radio room.
Telephone, high pass filters ready for handout to
neighbors. Brief xyl.
Trim palm tree near sloper.
Change vox delay.
Have contest rules handy.
Prepare sheet with suggested frequencies.
Prepare off-time sheet.
Do receiver noise survey with computer on. Does turning ant
slightly help?
Establish a difficult, but achievable, goal for the contest.
Look at last year's rate sheet to fine-tune strategy for
band changes.
Domestic contests - max antenna height 10m-50', 15m-75',
20m-100'.(6db down in E. Texas.)
DURING THE CONTEST - GENERAL
Ignore other peoples' numbers. Some play games and off-times are
unknown.
Very short pause between cq's, so nobody can tune past while freq
is silent.
Need VE8? Point antenna at 045 while running.
BAD - Who was the Yankee Zulu? GOOD - Yankee Zulu 253 B
K6LL 59 AZ.
Maintain accuracy. Scores converge. Every qso is important.
No alcohol, except nightcap Sun a.m. and victory celebration
Sunday night.
Population density - Western states advantage - Call CQ.
Use the highest band open, to avoid 9's working 1's, with the
9's aimed East.
Don't worry about mults until Sunday, unless you stumble across
a good one.
Know who is running above and below you. Keep centered, but not
too far away so somebody can sneak in.
Use automated cw and voicekeyer (BRAVO, K6LL, 59 ARIZONA.)
Motivation - Visualize pinned S-meters on the East coast.
Motivation - Remember your commitment to the SCCC. Operate
full time.
Don't start on 40 Sunday morning. 20, then 15 asap.
DURING THE CONTEST - CW
Start at high speed (32-35), then slow down as the rate
falls (26.) Adjust speed so ONE station is tail-ending.
If a pileup grows, increase speed (40+) until it becomes
manageable.
AGC off. Ride the RF gain control.
Tune RIT +/- 400 Hz after CQ.
Go high in the band (050) and send slow (25wpm) cq's once in
a while.
In S&P mode, use LSB (cw reverse), tune from high to low to
maximize collisions.
DURING THE CONTEST - SSB
Attract noncontesters with plaintive cq's. Make them say the
full exchange.
Fast AGC, only to protect your ears. Ride the rf gain control to
avoid compression.
Prolong 10 meter novice operation beyond maximum rate. These are
unique contacts, and it will improve your nightime rate,
when you work the "real" contesters.
Dave, K6LL
74752.115@compuserve.com
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