Editor’s Note: OnAllBands is pleased to post a series of articles written by accomplished amateur radio contester and DX Engineering customer/technical support specialist Kirk Pickering, K4RO. The articles, originally published in the National Contest Journal from 2008-2011 and updated with current information, offer valuable insights for both contesters new and old.
Where to begin? Many of the questions I receive from beginning contest operators boil down to essentially the same thing: “Where did you guys learn all of this stuff?”
The question may take different forms, but it often includes the desire for some resource which will reveal all of the “secrets” of contesting. The big secret is that there are no secrets. Like it or not, contesting knowledge is gained through experience, pure and simple.
We discussed this concept in the very first Contesting 101 column, but it comes up time and again. When this article was originally published, a post on the CQ-Contest reflector illustrated the point very well.
I chose the following question because it was very representative of the kind of queries an astute new contester might ask. While I tried to address some of these items in previous Contesting 101 columns, I must confess a certain feeling of helplessness in trying to do so. The reason is that the answers to these kinds of issues are really best learned through experience. No amount of reading or studying will substitute for time spent operating. It’s probably the most important point to make clear to a new contest operator. So, without further adieu:
Does anyone know of a good source of tips for contesting strategies? It’s still new to me, so I’m trying to work my way up the learning curve (on the SSB side). I’m looking for things like details on how to best make use of a second VFO, strategies for switching between running and S&P, if/how/when to pick up QSOs for stations not participating in the contest (when allowed, of course), how to best leverage spots, when to submit a spot and when not to, pileup management (on both sides), radio management (transmit bandwidth, memories, voice recording, etc.), and so on.
Learning from Experience
Here was the reply from Tom, VE3CX. I think Tom really hit the nail on the head. His suggestions apply regardless of your mode preferences, location, or goals:
I am mentoring a new contester along, and I have a good idea of what you are looking for. Basically, it boils down to one thing—experience. Each of us had to start from zero and work up from there :-). The more you operate, the better you get at it. What I would suggest is that you make an effort to spend time with your radio— learn all of the features your radio has to offer. Do the same thing with your contesting software. Spend time with it and learn its features.
As much as possible, take part in various QSO parties and any contests you can find. There is some type of contest on most any given weekend. Jump in and make a few QSOs! This way, you can see firsthand what works for you and what does not work well. In the California QSO Party, for example, I participated and found out that I had a few issues with the station. From my perspective, it was better to find out now rather than during the CQWW. QSO parties are great for working out issues in advance of a big contest.
I also attended a contest forum earlier this year, and one of the speakers made a very good observation. You need to market yourself. So, how do you do this? Well, by being very active people will start to recognize your call. Promptly answer QSLs and make sure that you answer all bureau cards. You don’t want the casual op thinking, “That cheap so-and-so. I sent him a card and he never bothered to reply.” You want to leave everyone, both the big AND small guys, with a good impression of yourself. You don’t need to send everyone a QSL card, just promptly reply when folks send you one.
When the band is open, try and run stations. I hear the big EU stations do this on a regular basis. Why? It puts them on the other end of a pileup. Then you can see firsthand what works and what does not.
Can you go for a DXpedition to somewhere close by (not a huge cash outlay)? Some places offer “rent-a-shack” accommodations. Again, it puts you on the other end of a pileup, but before you do that, you want to make sure you have at least some pileup skills. I am sure you have heard some folks struggle with a pileup. Try and learn what they are doing wrong and learn from their mistakes. Listening to the radio is a great help. You start to gain a feel for how the band sounds, time-of-day conditions, who is active (makes picking them out in a pileup easier), etc.
Last but not least, smile and have fun! It shows, and it makes ham radio the truly fun hobby it should be!
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I second Tom’s recommendation to get in as many contests as you can. Operate the QSO parties and try different modes. Spend more time on the radio and less time on the internet. Find active contesters near you and share your enthusiasm with them. Turn on the radio and put on the headphones. The “secrets” of contest operating are all right there, just waiting to be discovered.
73
Kirk, K4RO
