Getting Started in Contesting Presented by: Mark Ketchell, K5ER Used / Edited with permission from Bruce Draper, AA5B Much of this material was created by Gary Schmidt W5ZL Gary Schmidt W5ZL Gale Zeiler WB0YEA Gale Zeiler WB0YEA Susan King K5DU Susan King K5DU of the Central Texas DX and Contest Club

Big Gun or Little Pistol No matter what size station you’re operating, it’s a thrill to talk to somebody far away. Contests let you do that many times in one weekend! WB0YEA AB5KAB5K

What We’ll Cover What kind of ham enters a contest?What kind of ham enters a contest? What’s the object?What’s the object? Getting started in contestingGetting started in contesting The variety of contest typesThe variety of contest types How to win a contestHow to win a contest Online contesting resourcesOnline contesting resources

Who enters a contest? Why? The Casual ContesterThe Casual Contester A desire to just have some fun, improve operating skills, and work new countries, states, counties, etc. from the smorgasbord of participating stations The Feisty ContesterThe Feisty Contester A desire to compete … individually, or as part of a club. … individually, or as part of a club. The Committed ContesterThe Committed Contester Able to leap tall buildings with a single bound Able to master the art of sleep deprivation CQ Contest! N2IC in action

Benefits of Contesting It’s just FUNIt’s just FUN –Gets the competitive juices flowing Improves operating skillsImproves operating skills –Excellent preparation for emergency operations Add large numbers to your “contacts” listAdd large numbers to your “contacts” list –good for DXCC, WAS, ie. chasing wallpaper An excellent use of our allocated spectrumAn excellent use of our allocated spectrum Remember: “Use it or lose it.”

Do I Have to Have a “Contest Station”? Plenty of Big Gun contest stationsPlenty of Big Gun contest stations –Multiple radios –Multiple towers –Serious station automation Also plenty of “normal” stationsAlso plenty of “normal” stations There are opportunities for “guest operating”There are opportunities for “guest operating” You don’t have to be a Big Gun to have Big Fun contesting!

How to Win a Contest Work a lot of stationsWork a lot of stations Work as many “multipliers” as possibleWork as many “multipliers” as possible Work smartWork smart –Make good band change decisions –Use efficient operating techniques Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency operations)Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency operations) Know when to “Run” and when to “Search & Pounce”Know when to “Run” and when to “Search & Pounce” Know when to take a breakKnow when to take a break

Efficient Techniques When you’re getting started, spend a lot of time listening to other stations. After a little while, it’ll be obvious to you who’s doing it right.When you’re getting started, spend a lot of time listening to other stations. After a little while, it’ll be obvious to you who’s doing it right. Simple things can make a big difference.Simple things can make a big difference. –On CW, “TEST N2UT” vs “CQ TEST DE N2UT” can save enough time during the weekend to work a hundred more stations! –On phone, “Thanks, VP5K” vs “Thank you, QRZed contest, this is VP5K” can save enough time (AND YOUR VOICE) to work hundreds more QSOs.

Many different types of contests SSB, CW, RTTYSSB, CW, RTTY DXDX ARRLARRL, CQWW, IARU, WPX, foreign hosted, etc. CQWWIARUWPX ARRLCQWWIARUWPX NationalNational Field DayField Day, Sweepstakes, NAQP, VHF/UHF, State QSO Parties, etc. SweepstakesNAQPVHFUHF Field DaySweepstakesNAQPVHFUHF SpecialtySpecialty SprintsSprints, SKN, etc. SKN SprintsSKN

A Contest for All Seasons/Tastes ARRL Field Day ARRL Field Day ARRL SKN ARRL SKN ARRL DX NAQP Sprint CQ WW DX ARRL 160 ARRL 10 State QSO Parties (Many) ARRL VHF CQ WPX CQ WPX IARU HF World Championships IARU HF World Championships ARRL Sweepstakes ARRL Sweepstakes ARRL RTTY ARRL RTTY ARRL UHF Sprint Beginner to Expert LAQP NAQP ARRL VHF ARRL VHFJan Dec

Multiple categories  Single operator  Packet-assisted or unassisted  Power  QRP, low, high  Single band and/or mode (some contests)  Multi-op, single transmitter  Multi-op, multi-transmitter... designed to let you compete on a level playing field

When are contests run?  Almost always on weekends  Starting/ending times vary by contest  Durations as short as 4 hours  As long as 48 hours  Maximum allowed operating hours also vary  Good on-line contest calendar:

Online Contesting Resources ARRLARRL –“ARRL Rate Sheet” newsletter Contesting.comContesting.com National Contest JournalNational Contest Journal

Best contests for getting your feet wet  Field Day Field Day Field Day  Straight Key Night Straight Key Night Straight Key Night  State QSO Parties (many!)

What’s Req’d to Get Started?  A radio and antennas  A logging system  Pencil & paper o Tried and true, but hard to keep track of dupes  Computer-based logging software o Many options from freeware to networked  DOS-based: TR Log ($60-75) NA ($60) CT (free)  Windows-based  N1MM (free)  WriteLog (~$75)  N3FJP ($39-49) o Can even trigger pre-recorded voice, CW, or RTTY exchanges

Advanced Operation: Interfacing Your Radio Serial, USB and Parallel OptionsSerial, USB and Parallel Options Why do it?Why do it? –Logging automation: less work for you = higher QSO rates Date/timeDate/time Freq/modeFreq/mode Contest exchangeContest exchange –Trigger transmitted exchanges –Band Mapping –Packet Assisted

Advanced Operation: Interfacing Your Radio Examples of SO2R Examples of SO2R K5ER N6TR K5ZD Take full advantage of automation - band decoders, automatic antenna switchers, Bandpass Filters, etc.

How do I report my results? OfficiallyOfficially –Snail mail – Cabrillo file generated by most computerized logging programs (may be required to be declared a winner)Cabrillo file generated by most computerized logging programs (may be required to be declared a winner) UnofficiallyUnofficially –“3830” On the air (right after the contest, 3830 kHz)On the air (right after the contest, 3830 kHz)

What Can I Win?  Trophies, plaques, certificates  Goodies  Example: WA State QSO Party “Salmon Run” category winners receive smoked salmon WA State QSO Party “Salmon RunWA State QSO Party “Salmon Run  Trips!  QSOs toward non-contest awards (WAS, DXCC, etc.)  The awe and respect of your fellow competitors (aka “bragging rights”)

How do I learn / Get Help ARRL-affiliated “local” club Contest / DX Club L ouisiana C ontest C lub (.org) Contesting.com

How Do I Get Started? Check the sponsor’s web site for rules Get on the Air and LISTEN Different Contests each have their own “Rhythm” When comfortable with format, answer a few CQ’s Speed will come with practice, When you start off, strive to log as ACCURATELY as possible ALWAYS send in your log

How Do I Get Started? Little Gun: With just dipoles and 100 watts, you won’t compete against the “Big Guns” You can, however, “Search and Pounce” very effectively. Start low in the band and work those calling CQ - ALWAYS send your whole call Especially in the final 1/4 of the contest, try calling CQ. That’s when the “Big Guns” are trolling for mults and they will come to you

How Do I Get Started? Medium Gun: Low band dipoles, small to medium Tri- or Mono- banders and watts, under certain conditions, you can compete against the “Big Guns”. Radios with GOOD filtering become important Be Aggressive

How Do I Get Started? Big Gun: Low band RX arrays, Big/Stacked Tri- or Mono- banders and legal limit, you are running with the Big Dogs. Selectivity becomes important. Call sign Database Think LOUD Not On the air -- OWN THE AIR

How Do I Get Started? All Stations: Let’s put Louisiana on the contest map! Join the LCC, Submit your scores Watch OUR club climb the ranks and become a National Contender

Questions & Answers

Closing Comments Get on the AirGet on the Air Make some Q’sMake some Q’s and most importantly -and most importantly - HAVE FUN!HAVE FUN! Remember - Contesting IS a contact sportRemember - Contesting IS a contact sport Thanks - de K5ERThanks - de K5ER