Hi Scott,
I'm not clear if you are using one radio, or two. With a tribander stack I
suspect one.
Having a second radio will help, though not so much in the sense that the
really good guys can run on one and find and work mults on the other. More
like it makes things a lot easier to check other bands to determine what is
happening. Is 15 open to EU? Are the Europeans loud on 40 yet?
The other thing that will help your score is lots of operating time, better
many small portions than a few big portions. Though not the operating
style of DX contests, the Thursday evening NS sprints (0230-0300z) will give
you a lot of practice in high speed CW operating, which may let you boost
your speed and rate during prime DX contest openings. There are lots of other
"minor" contests that will let you keep your head in shape for when the big
ones come.
I agree that a new radio will make you feel good, but of itself not be a
huge improvement.
73 - Jim K8MR
In a message dated 2/12/2011 3:42:10 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,
w2lc@twcny.rr.com writes:
Ken, Just to let you know I was not insulted at all.
Everyone,
>From the responses I received there are quite a few contesters out there
that are using older radios like I am. Nice to know that I am not alone.
Sure I would like band decoders and amplfiers that actually run 1500W, I have
been looking at the FT-2000's, looks like about $3500 with a few
accessories added.
Having an older radio is like living in a less than optimum location, you
work with what you have. I see a lot of guys putting in some excellent
scores with stations and locations I am sure they would like to improve.
My next addition will either be a new radio of perhaps some newer yagi's.
I am currently using 3 stacked tri-banders. For what they are they work
pretty well.
So here is a question for everyone. My CQWW CW best is: QSOs 2543, Zones
132, Cntrys 425, Score before log checking 4,077,797. 40 hours of operating
time. How much does a new radio improve on that score? Does a new FT-2000
put me over 5 million? over 6 million?
Was the radio really the limiting factor? I say a brand new radio would
not have changed that score all that much.
--
73 Scott W2LC
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