Summerfest 2004 Austin, Texas Aug 7, 2004
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Transcript of Summerfest 2004 Austin, Texas Aug 7, 2004
Summerfest 2004Summerfest 2004Austin, TexasAustin, TexasAug 7, 2004Aug 7, 2004
Introduction to Introduction to DXing and ContestingDXing and Contesting
Big Gun or Little PistolBig Gun or Little Pistol
AB5KAB5KAB5KAB5K
WBWBøøYEAYEA
No matter the caliber, nothing No matter the caliber, nothing compares to the thrill of tickling compares to the thrill of tickling somebody’s radio on the other somebody’s radio on the other side of the world!side of the world!
What We’ll Cover - ContestingWhat We’ll Cover - Contesting
• 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
Getting Started in ContestingGetting Started in Contesting
Gary Schmidt W5ZLGary Schmidt W5ZL
ContestingContesting
Special thanks to Carl K9LA,Special thanks to Carl K9LA,NCJ EditorNCJ Editor
Even though you may be just a Pup, you can still Even though you may be just a Pup, you can still have fun contesting with the Big Dawgs! have fun contesting with the Big Dawgs!
Why enter a contest?Why enter a contest?
• The Casual ContesterThe Casual Contester A desire to just have some fun, improve operating skills, and A desire to just have some fun, improve operating skills, and work new countries, states, counties, etc. from the smorgasbord work new countries, states, counties, etc. from the smorgasbord
of participating stationsof participating stations
• The Feisty ContesterThe Feisty Contester A desire to competeA desire to compete
• The Committed ContesterThe Committed Contester Able to leap tall buildings with a single boundAble to leap tall buildings with a single bound
Able to master the art of sleep deprivationAble to master the art of sleep deprivation
CQ CQ Contest!Contest!
Ken WM5R in actionKen WM5R in action
Benefits of ContestingBenefits of Contesting
• It’s just FUNIt’s just FUN– Gets the competitive juices flowingGets the competitive juices flowing
• Improves operating skillsImproves operating skills– Excellent preparation for emergency Excellent preparation for emergency
operationsoperations
• An excellent use of our allocated An excellent use of our allocated spectrumspectrum
Remember: “Use it or lose it.”Remember: “Use it or lose it.”
Do I Have to Have a “Contest Do I Have to Have a “Contest Station”?Station”?
• Plenty of Big Gun contest stationsPlenty of Big Gun contest stations–Multiple radiosMultiple radios
–Multiple towersMultiple towers
–Serious station automationSerious station automation
• Also plenty of “normal” stationsAlso plenty of “normal” stations
You don’t have to be a Big Gun You don’t have to be a Big Gun to have Big Fun contesting!to have Big Fun contesting!
How to Win a ContestHow 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 decisionsMake good band change decisions
– Use efficient operating techniquesUse efficient operating techniques• Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency Don’t waste time or words (similar to emergency
operations)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
Many different types – beginner Many different types – beginner to expertto expert
• SSB, CW, RTTYSSB, CW, RTTY
• DX DX ARRLARRL, , CQWWCQWW, , IARUIARU, , WPXWPX, foreign hosted, etc., foreign hosted, etc.
• National National
Field DayField Day, , SweepstakesSweepstakes, , NAQPNAQP, , VHFVHF//UHFUHF, State , State QSO Parties, etc.QSO Parties, etc.
• Specialty Specialty
SprintsSprints, FOC Marathon, , FOC Marathon, SOCSOC, , SKNSKN, etc., etc.
A Contest for All Seasons/TastesA Contest for All Seasons/Tastes
ARRL ARRL Field DayField Day
ARRL ARRL SKNSKN
ARRL ARRL DXDX
NAQPNAQP
SprintSprint
CQ WW DXCQ WW DX
ARRL ARRL 160160ARRL ARRL
1010
State QSO PartiesState QSO Parties(Many)(Many)
ARRL ARRL VHFVHF
CQ WPXCQ WPX
IARU HF World IARU HF World ChampionshipsChampionships
ARRL ARRL SweepstakesSweepstakes
ARRL ARRL RTTYRTTY
ARRL ARRL UHFUHF
SprintSprint
Beginner to ExpertBeginner to Expert
TQPTQP
NAQPNAQP
Click on contest for more infoClick on contest for more info
ARRL ARRL VHFVHF
JanJan
DecDec
Multiple categoriesMultiple categories
Single operatorSingle operatorAssisted/unassistedAssisted/unassisted
PowerPowerQRP, low, highQRP, low, high
Single band and/or mode (some contests)Single band and/or mode (some contests)
Multi-op, single transmitterMulti-op, single transmitter Multi-op, multi-transmitterMulti-op, multi-transmitter
. . . designed to let you compete on a level playing field. . . designed to let you compete on a level playing field
When are contests run?When are contests run?
Usually on weekendsUsually on weekends
Starting/ending times vary by contestStarting/ending times vary by contest Durations as short as 4 hoursDurations as short as 4 hours
As long as 48 hoursAs long as 48 hours
Max operating hours also varyMax operating hours also vary
Good on-line contest calendar: Good on-line contest calendar: www.www.
hornucopiahornucopia.com/.com/contestcalcontestcal//
Online Contesting ResourcesOnline Contesting Resources• ARRLARRL
www.arrl.orgwww.arrl.org – ARRL Rate Sheet newsletter ARRL Rate Sheet newsletter http://www.http://www.arrlarrl
.org/contests/rate-sheet/.org/contests/rate-sheet/
• Contesting.comContesting.comwww.contesting.comwww.contesting.com
• National Contest JournalNational Contest Journalwww.ncjweb.comwww.ncjweb.com
• Central Texas DX & Contest ClubCentral Texas DX & Contest Clubwww.www.ctdxccctdxcc.org.org
Best contests to get your feet wetBest contests to get your feet wet
Field DayField Day
Straight Key NightStraight Key Night
State QSO PartiesState QSO Parties
Many to choose fromMany to choose from
Our own (Texas QSO Party every Our own (Texas QSO Party every
September!)September!)
What’s Req’d to Get Started?What’s Req’d to Get Started?A radio and antennasA radio and antennasA logging systemA logging system
Pencil & paperPencil & paperoo Tried and true, but hard to keep track of dupesTried and true, but hard to keep track of dupes
Computer based logging softwareComputer based logging softwareooMany options from freeware to networkedMany options from freeware to networked
DOS-based: TR Log ($60-75) DOS-based: TR Log ($60-75) www.trlog.comwww.trlog.com Windows-basedWindows-based
N1MM (free) N1MM (free) www.n1mm.comwww.n1mm.com Writelog (~$75) Writelog (~$75) www.writelog.comwww.writelog.com N3FJP ($39-49) N3FJP ($39-49) www.n3fjp.comwww.n3fjp.com
ooCan even trigger pre-recorded voice, CW, or Can even trigger pre-recorded voice, CW, or RTTY exchangesRTTY exchanges
Advanced Operation:Advanced Operation:Interfacing Your RadioInterfacing Your Radio
• Serial, USB and Parallel OptionsSerial, USB and Parallel Options
• Why do it?Why do it?
– Logging automation: less work for Logging automation: less work for
you = higher QSO ratesyou = higher QSO rates• Date/timeDate/time
• Freq/modeFreq/mode
• Contest exchangeContest exchange
– Integrated “point-and-shoot” DX Integrated “point-and-shoot” DX
cluster operationcluster operation
– Trigger transmitted exchangesTrigger transmitted exchanges
How do I report my results?How do I report my results?• OfficiallyOfficially
– Snail mailSnail mail– EmailEmail
• Cabrillo file generated by most Cabrillo file generated by most computerized logging programs (may computerized logging programs (may be req’d to be declared a winner)be req’d to be declared a winner)
• UnofficiallyUnofficially– 38303830
• On the airOn the air• http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
– At the ClubAt the Club
What Can I Win?What Can I Win?
Trophies, plaques, certificatesTrophies, plaques, certificates
GoodiesGoodies Example: Example: WA State QSO Party “Salmon RunWA State QSO Party “Salmon Run” ”
category winners receive smoked salmoncategory winners receive smoked salmon
QSOs toward non-contest awardsQSOs toward non-contest awards
The awe and respect of your fellow The awe and respect of your fellow competitors (aka “bragging rights”)competitors (aka “bragging rights”)
The Texas QSO PartyThe Texas QSO Party
A A greatgreat place to get started in contesting! place to get started in contesting!
• And you’ve come to the right place to learn And you’ve come to the right place to learn about it!about it!
Created byCreated by
Gary Schmidt W5ZLGary Schmidt W5ZLGale Zeiler WB0YEAGale Zeiler WB0YEA
Susan King K5DUSusan King K5DU
Other Clubs are welcome to use the contents of this presentationOther Clubs are welcome to use the contents of this presentationwith acknowledgement of Central Texas DX and Contest Clubwith acknowledgement of Central Texas DX and Contest Club
Credits