Great advice, Ward. I would add that it is a great idea to listen
to yourself on a 2nd rig (with the appropriate amount of extra
attenuation added in of course). Monitor circuits often don't tell
the whole story. If for instance you're overdriving your amp, the
extra distortion won't show up in the monitored audio unless
you actually listen on a 2nd rig. I believe punchy crisp clean
audio is a draw. You'll make more QSOs. If you sound like
s&#t, you are going to lose QSOs. Those casual ops who just
want to goof off a little on Sunday are more likely to pass you
by if you have squarewave audio.
73 de Mike, W4EF.....................
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ward Silver" <hwardsil@centurytel.net>
To: "CQ-Contest Reflector" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Sent: Monday, November 22, 2004 9:48 AM
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Phone Phollies
> Just some of the usual grouchy post-contest observations...
>
> 1) Geez - some UGLY signals out there, especially on 40, it seemed.
Guys -
> back off on the drive! Yes - I had my noise blanker OFF, preamp OFF,
> attenuator IN - still UGLY and WIDE. Just because the knob goes to 10
> doesn't mean it's a good idea.
>
> 2) Compression - it works really well on background noise. Just as well
as
> on your voice. Tip - if the power output meter looks like RTTY 100% duty
> cycle output when you're talking, no one can understand you. Even if you
> yell louder. This is particularly obnoxious when the DVK exchange message
> is full of background noise. Really - it's hard to understand
> over-compressed voice - you're hurting your score by lowering the
> intelligibility. You want punch, not smash.
>
> 3) DVK - when you change ops, change messages. Very disconcerting and
> occasionally Q-busting when the CQ is one guy and the answer another. A
> number of software packages allow you to do this on the PC. If you're
using
> a standalone keyer, take a few seconds and re-record the messages from
time
> to time.
>
> 4) Using digital numbers.
> It...sounds...like...a...bad...phone...menu...system. Don't do it. Just
> use DVK for CQs and the stuff that doesn't change.
>
> 73, Ward N0AX
>
>
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