I've worked contests for 48 hours straight before and I too agree it is
mostly a mental exercise.
During my 15 years in the Army, I've had many chances both in training
and in wartime environments to experience long periods without sleep. In
one of my units, we would go nearly constantly for 96 hours straight
with the stipulation that you could only have two 30-minute naps. It
didn't "train" your body to go without sleep, but it did show you how
far you could go and what you needed to do to make it. I've developed
coping tools to try to work through the "fog" of fatigue. I believe my
training and experience helps me during my contest efforts.
Have you ever stopped briefly for a bathroom break and still hear the
code when you are away from the rig? That's part of the delusional stage
that's kind of funny sometimes. I swear that chirping cricket was
cursing at me!
Playing a video or music with my other computer during the long lulls or
bad conditions helps keep my mind occupied.I have actually dropped and
done pushups when I felt my mind start to wander. Physical exertion
helps get the adrenaline flowing. Of course, when you happen to be in
the chair when the band breaks wide open and you are working 120/hr, it
tends to liven you up a bit, too. Being DX also helps pass the time
since the pileups can be quite large and contacts come in at a steadier
rate.
73,
Korey
YI9VCQ/KA5VCQ
Al Asad, Iraq
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