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 Previous: Surfin': The Saga of Early Ether |  Next: FCC Rescinds 146.52 MHz Advisory Notices |
By Anthony A. Luscre, K8ZT
Contributing Editor
October 21, 2002
In this installment, we continue our preparation for the fall-winter contesting season with QRP operation in mind.
Contests are a great place to try QRP. It is remarkable how well your low-power signal can be heard when it means points for the contester on the other end of the contact! However, as I noted in part one, many of my suggestions apply to contesting in general, whether or not you're running low power.
Don't Do It the Hard Way
If you plan on doing anything beyond the bare minimum of contesting, you need contest logging software. This can take a lot of the hard work (drudgery?) out of contesting. In addition, many contest sponsors--including the ARRL--prefer electronic logs rather than handwritten logs.
Contest logging software can quickly identify dupes, copy exchange information from previous QSOs and give you an instant snapshot of your progress (ie, your running point totals). In addition, most can interface with your radio to call CQ for you and to send the required contest exchange--at the push of a button.
 A headset with a boom mike like this one from Heil Sound is a very efficient way for Cathy Ferry, NC8F, to free her hands for logging and tuning the radio while operating in a phone contest. A foot switch to control push-to-talk completes the setup. MFJ Enterprises and Warren Gregoire & Associates offer similar products. [Photos by author] |
Many fine contesting programs are available. Each has its own features and operational characteristics. Some operators choose to use a full-featured general logging program with contesting capabilities for all of their operating. Watch for a future QRP Column devoted entirely to ham software. In the meantime you can visit these sites for information on contesting and logging software: AC6V's Software for DXers and Contesters and my Web site's Logging & Software Page. Many of these programs offer freeware or demo versions with limited contest support, so you can try before you buy.
Choose Your Tools
In addition to the obvious radio and antenna system, many contesters employ a number of "tools of the trade." Many of these tools revolve around the simple concept of doing multiple things at the same time. Devices that free up your hands or require only simple, quick motions make this possible.
We already mentioned computer software to assist in logging. In addition to calling CQ and sending the contest exchange, many logging programs can automatically read or change frequency of your radio, key the transmitter with a call sign as we enter it in the log, turn our antenna rotators and more. Other hands-freeing devices are headsets with boom microphones, CW keyers and voice keyers.
Memory keyers also allow contesters to program or record contest exchanges and call CQ too. Each memory can be activated to instantly send its stored message. CW memory keyers allow for efficient, well-formed code transmissions with the simple push of one button. Voice keyers originally started as loops of recording tape but now have gone digital, using computer memory chips to record and play back the operator's voice. Adding a foot switch, to control push-to-talk, on a boom microphone or to trigger transmission of the contents of a memory on a keyer completes the setup.
Ready, Set . . .
Just as in any other competition, the contest can be lost before it starts, if preparation is lacking. Here is my pre-contest checklist:
 Two examples of keyers by MFJ Enterprises. Above, a voice keyer; below, a CW memory keyer. |
1. Make sure all equipment is working. Inspect, don't expect. Make a few contacts to check.
2. Know the exchange, including your zone or section, as needed, and program it into your logging software or memory keyer. If manually logging, write it down in big letters and place it in your view.
3. Check your logging software including the computer's date and time (using WWV or Internet sites). Also check the contents of keying memories, correct contest "template" selection and keyboard functions.
4. If you competed in an "assisted" category, check DX spotting sites or your local PacketCluster node. DX Monitor by Peter Jennings,VE3SUN, is a freeware program that does a great job of monitoring DX spots.
5. Prepare your environment. Check your chair for comfortable adjustment. Adjust the position of the keyboard, radio, rotator box and other controls. Prepare a safe area for liquid refreshments. Adjust the lighting and monitor angle to reduce eyestrain.
Go!
Be ready to go at starting time. Decide if you want to call CQ (run) or listen for callers (search and pounce--or S&P). Beginners, especially QRPers are usually better off starting with the S&P approach. To the novice contester the speed and confusion of contest exchanges can be overwhelming. If you're a newcomer, a good technique is to try to copy all of the calling station's exchange information during contacts with other stations before attempting a contact of your own. This is a much slower method, but it can prevent a lot of frustration for the novice contester or rusty CW operator.
When I am using S&P, I like to start at one end of the band and work up or down to the other end, each time looking for stations not in the log. If I succeed, I log the contact and continue moving across the band. If I fail to get through, I mark the station's call and frequency on my scratch paper in an ordered column (Another way to do this is to save the frequency in a "scratch pad" memory on your transceiver, if so equipped.) Once I get to end of the band, I start again at the other end and work across the band. But this time I have a map--the list I made the first (or previous) time through. This list of stations, along with the dupe checking capabilities of my logging software, makes the subsequent pass much quicker. I place a check mark on my list next to the stations I have worked. When I move on to a new band I start the process again.
Don't throw away the band maps. Although the assortment of stations will change considerably some will be there at the same frequency all weekend (see item 5 in Planning section above.)
This might seem pretty obvious, but when you work a station, it's important to accurately log the call and exchange. Most contests will penalize you for incorrectly logged contacts.
The "Secret" Language of the Exchange
Know the insider language version of the exchange. Make sure you know not only the content of the exchange but the order in which each component is given. Mimic the exchange style of veteran contesters. New contesters are often confused by one peculiar way of sending CW exchanges in contests called "cut numbers." Many operators use a shortcut method of sending numbers zero through nine. These shortcuts substitute a letter for a number, sending fewer dits and dahs as a result. The most commonly used shortcuts are substituting the letters "N" for the number nine, "A" for one and "T" for zero.
Timing for Everything
If you are running a kilowatt and monster antenna system, you can just drop you call in and usually receive a prompt response. It's a bit more difficult for QRPers to compete for the other station's attention. One of the best techniques QRPers can perfect is proper timing. Knowing exactly when to reply, how fast to send (or speak), the proper cadence and emphasis of letters and number of times to repeat your call--among other techniques--can greatly increase your success of getting a reply. Timing is a skill that you develop with time spent practicing in contests and listening to polished operators. Once you get the timing down your success rate will increase dramatically whether you are QRP contesting, QRP DXing or even operating QRO.
By the way, if you are seriously into contesting or DXing, you may want to think of optimizing your call sign by reading "Choosing Your Ideal Vanity Call Sign".
Staying the Course
If you want to be competitive, "you've got to stay in the chair." If you are doing a more casual operation, then you can take time off as desired. Even the competitive operator needs to take breaks, whether required by contest rules or just calls of nature. Whenever you do take a break, make sure you stretch your muscles (especially legs and back) and re-hydrate your body with plenty of water and other beverages.
You don't want to miss an opportunity, so remember to follow your planned schedules. If the bands do not cooperate, you will need to vary your schedule to accommodate the shifts. A certain amount of flexibility can make a lot of difference if things don't go quite as you figured they would before the contest.
Final Hours and Minutes
I like to take a few seconds to periodically assess my progress. I make sure I've worked planned countries, zones, or other multipliers. As the contest time ticks down, you may want to vary your operation to pick up missed multipliers or even call CQ to try and run stations for a higher QSO count. (Just because you're running low power, don't hesitate to try running. Although it's often much harder to "hold" a frequency with QRP, you'll find those points racking up in your log a lot faster than with the S&P method.)
The Job is Not Done Until the Paperwork is Completed
By submitting an entry, you are letting the contest sponsors know that QRPers are actively involved in their operating events. If you work a contest, always send in an entry--even if you only work a few contacts. These days, computer logging has made the post contest work much easier and quicker. No longer do we need to manually look for duplicate contacts (dupes), count QSOs and QSO points or count multipliers. Even the final calculation of the total score can be generated by the software. As noted above, almost all contest sponsors prefer you to submit your entry in electronic form. Most software programs will prepare a suitable file with proper format for submission. The ARRL and other major contest sponsors prefer the "Cabrillo" file format. Check the contest rules for details on submitting your entry and submission deadlines.
Contesting Results
In the olden days hams had to wait many months--sometimes up to a year--to learn the contest results. But being competitive and impatient types, contesters want--and expect--to know how they fared as soon as possible. One custom that developed was the post contest on-air gathering of contesters to exchange "claimed" preliminary scores. These hams often met after the contest on 75-meters, on or near 3830 kHz, to share claimed scores. Although the on-the-air tradition continues an Internet mailing list, aptly named the 3830 Mailing List provides a forum for the posting of claimed scores. To post your score go to WA7BNM's Online Form.
Michael Dinkleman, N7WA usually compiles a summary of all the posted results for each contest. These summaries are a great place to see other QRP claimed scores in the contest that you will not hear on the post-contest 75-meter discussions by contesting's "Big Guns."
Contesting Resources
John Shannon's K3WWP Ham Radio Activities Web pages are filled with QRP contesting information. Bookmark this site! It's very well done and contains a plethora of QRP resources and links. For a large list of contesting resources on the Internet you can visit Contesting.com and the Contesting Links section of my own Web page.
To receive a bi-weekly electronic contesting newsletter ARRL members can subscribe to The ARRL Contest Rate Sheet.
Reader Feedback
I received e-mail from a QRP Community reader who pointed out my omission of a great Internet contesting resource and ARRL publication that you can subscribe to. Visit the National Contest Journal home page for more details.
I also heard tales of QRP contesting success stories from a number of column readers. The story of Brian, K9WIS, reminds us how always sending in a contest entry can bear fruit. He thought his results were modest, but he was surprised to win his section's QRP category and a nice certificate in the ARRL November Sweepstakes (the CW event is just ahead--November 2-3--Ed).
Please share your questions and comments and suggestions for future columns via e-mail.
Editor's note: Anthony Luscre, K8ZT, an ARRL member, lives in Stow, Ohio. After working in the field of medical microbiology for 18 years, he's now a technology and computer coordinator for a local school district. Luscre is an avid QRP operator having earned DXCC, WAS and WAC using no more that 5 W output. Readers are invited to contact the author via e-mail, k8zt@arrl.net or visit his Web site.
PHOTO:
A: <K8ZT-1.jpg> for thumb
B: <nc8f.jpg>
A headphone set with a boom mic from Heil Sound is a very efficient way for Cathy Ferry, NC8F, to free her hands for logging and tuning the radio while operating in a phone contest. A foot switch to control push-to-talk completes the setup. [Photos by author]
C: <keyers.jpg>
Two examples of keyers by
MFJ Enterprises. Above, a voice keyer; below, a CW memory keyer.
| Previous: Surfin': The Saga of Early Ether | Next: FCC Rescinds 146.52 MHz Advisory Notices |
