Summerfest 2004 Austin, Texas Aug 7, 2004 Introduction to DXing and Contesting.

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