Randy and I had similar starts in Radio. I was also licensed at 13. I
Spent countless hours on the radio and still managed to get good grades. I
also started out with low dipoles on 40/15. Made a big move to a 5 ele 10m
beam that was installed (if you can call it that) on just above the flat
roof of our house. Fell in love with 10 meters as we were at or near the
top of a cycle.
I remember challenging another young friend in the Novice Roundup when it
was still around and having a bunch of fun. I don't recall who won but that
got the competitive juices flowing.
I wish I could get my son's interested. My youngest (13)has his tech but is
more interested in computers than radio. Girls have not hit his radar
screen yet so there is still time.
Mike W0MU
-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of Randy Thompson K5ZD
Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 1:19 PM
To: 'CQ-Contest'
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] And now for something completely different......
An interesting question that has generated some thoughtful replies.
The single biggest factor that has contributed to my success as a contester
was being licensed at age 13 and having hours and hours and hours to
operating time using low power and low antennas during my High School years.
That is where the funadmental skills were learned and practiced (when there
was no packet and you still had to turn on the radio and tune around to find
things). That is where I learned how to get a small signal through a big
pileup. That is where I spent hours having CW QSOs or handling traffic.
The skills and scores made during that period led to opportunities for guest
ops and chairs at multi-ops. Each level provided more experience and more
station capability.
The factor that I can't explain, but is also key, is a passionate love of
the contesting game. I love turning on the radio and finding out that I can
be heard somewhere else on the planet. I am not that interested in long
chats, but I sure do love the thrill of hearing the other guy respond to a
call or CQ. It just never gets old.
Randy, K5ZD
> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of K0HB
> Sent: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 12:57 AM
> To: CQ-Contest
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] And now for something completely different......
>
> So I pose this question to the gathered multitude.....
>
> What single factor do you credit with being the MOST important to
> your success as a contester? (The "factor" can be a skill, a station
> engineering accomplishment, an "accident of location", or whatever.)
>
> 73, de Hans, K0HB/W7
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
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