OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS Good Operator = More Enjoyment Better operators make more contacts! We are looked up to as the radio experts Hams have a public service mission We need to be better to teach new hams WHY SHOULD WE BE BETTER OPERATORS?

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS LISTENING is the NUMBER ONE skill SPEAK clearly and properly Be a MASTER of the frequencies USE the right equipment for the job TEACH others to be good operators Practice, Practice and Practice TECHNIQUES TO MAXIMIZE HAM RADIO FUN

Make sure RF signal and audio is good Talk in short bursts - not monologues Say the important information; avoid all else ENUNCIATE - don’t mumble Use PHONETICS on HF Speak SLOWLY in bad conditions Use a good speaker or headphones Think before you speak- Have something to say! OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS BASIC OPERATING SKILLS

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS UNLEARN BAD HABITS DON’TDO over identifyID every 10 minutes & at end say, “W8XXX, for ID” say, “W8XXX” say, “in the group”say just your callsign say, “HI” for laughterlaugh, if something is funny say, “on the side” say, “standing by” say, “73s, best 73, 70/3rds” say, “73” say, “negative”say, “no” say,“landline / twisted pair” say, “telephone” say, “first personal”say, “name” say, “destinated” say, “I have arrived” say, “We” (for yourself)say, “I” use Q-signals on FMuse English

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS - OPERATING Your NUMBER 1 JOB is to communicate The NUMBER 1 ability is to LISTEN You must gather & organize info quickly THINK before speaking Transmissions must be short ! Always follow directions of supervisor Use tactical callsign where applicable Proper ID still required by the FCC

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS PUBLIC SERVICE EVENTS - EQUIPMENT A Dead Radio is USELESS! - Have backup Properly charge batteries - have extras Learn how to fully operate your equipment! Use highest power and best antenna possible Keep HT off of belt – signal very poor Check coverage before event DO NOT use VOX! Always have headphones available

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS THINK ABOUT IT ! If you were suddenly called into action, is your equipment ready? If power and phone were out for weeks would you be able to communicate? Can the repeater you use stay on for over a week without commercial power? Do you have ways to power your radios and charge batteries without power? Would you be emotionally able to help if disaster struck your area directly?

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS How Do I Become a Better Operator? CONTESTING!

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS CONTESTING - WHY DO IT? Contesting is FUN! Great way to meet many, many people Great way to work new countries, states The BEST way to hone your skills

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS WHAT IS A CONTEST? Contact the most number of stations in the most number of defined areas in a time limit Accurately exchange certain information Each contest has a specific set of rules Contest types: HF / VHF Phone / CW / Mixed / Other DX / Stateside / All 48 hrs / 24 hrs / 12 hrs / Sprint

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS CONTEST BASICS MANY different ways to participate Important to set a GOAL and stick to it Don’t Quit! ATTITUDE is everything Pick the strategy consistent with your signal

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS CONTEST STRATEGY CQ –Call CQ on one frequency –Requires a good signal –Usually results in the best rates Search & Pounce –Search band looking for stations –Find a station and work them (pounce) –Used for looking for multipliers –Used when CQ doesn’t work

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS CONTEST SKILLS 3 Critical Skills – Listening, Speaking, Logging Timing is CRUCIAL - don’t delay response! ALWAYS use Full call sign with PHONETICS IGNORE anything that doesn’t produce results PLAN AHEAD when the band dies WORK OUT station bugs before contest ANALYZE your efforts after the contest EMULATE the good habits of others

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS CONTESTING EQUIPMENT Put up the best station you can Power and big antennas increase reliability Don't rely on minimal antennas Create a functional shack Test all antennas, all equipment, all bands Make sure there is no RFI Have back up Test station functionality regularly

OPERATING TECHNIQUES OF THE BEST OPERATORS SUMMARY Key Skills Common to the BEST Operators Listening Speaking or Keying Logging or Transcribing Setup of Reliable Equipment Knowledge of Equipment Evaluation and Improvement Safety Practice – Practice - Practice