In addition to the failure to ID, there are lots reasons to pursue a station before getting the complete call. One common one is arriving on the frequency just as the end of the call goes by. If you
Most HF receivers do not have enough gain for decent AGC action on weak CW signals. (The insertion loss of the CW filters can reduce IF gain considerably.) This is particularly so on 10M, even with a
Beware!! The stock SB-220 does NOT have a catch diode across the relay coil. As a result, it can fry the switching transistor or relay in the transceiver. Make sure the diode is in place before hooki
In a case like this, I won't log the QSO, and big0gun is going to lose 3 more. The only thing that works consistently is witholding the exchange in 4 until big0gun has your call correct. This wouldn'
I've found that 90% of the time when I do that, the other guy fails to repeat my call, so I don't know whether he got it or not. With the X4 penalty, it usually makes sense to delete those. (My UBN r
Actually, running a 1.5 KW amplifier at 400 W will generate lots of heat, unless the amplifier can be loaded very lightly, a tricky thing on SSB, and probably impossible on 80 and 160. If you load a
While I agree with Doug that an unproductive frequency is fair game, I just can't justify deliberately breaking up someone's run. I'd like to think there is some reasonable compromise between being c
No. I'm proposing that the stronger stations make it possible for some of the weaker ones to work EACH OTHER, which just might make it more likely some of them will continue to participate in contes
This, I believe, is the crucial issue. Clearly Fred does not deliberately fire up his CQ on top of a QRP station with an active run going. Doesn't seem to hurt his scores much. 73, Scott K9MA -- CQ-C
I'm told the odds of a packet spot being busted are pretty high. That's not necessarily a bad thing. 73, Scott K9MA -- Scott Ellington Madison, Wisconsin USA sdelling@facstaff.wisc.edu -- CQ-Contest
I've been amazed at the number of times I've given up on a CQ, only to have someone call me 10 or more seconds after I've stopped transmitting. Sometimes, of course, someone else is already calling C
Perhaps I'm more strict than most, but here are my suggestions for keeping your UBN and penalties low: Do not log a contact unless you are SURE the QSO was good. Rely on the timing when the calling s
Hi Jay, It's really impossible to make relays that will handle both high power and very small signals. The gold plating is destroyed the first time high power is applied. One common solution is to us
I can hardly wait: Someday I'll be able to just start up the robot Friday night, go off skiing for the weekend, and come back Sunday night to find out how I did. Now that's exciting contesting! 73, S
If you are getting answers to your CQ's, it can't be a big problem. Good point, though. It's certainly preferable to have a wider clear bandwidth, but not always possible on a crowded band. However,
I've observed the same thing on HF. In the absence of strong QRM, a weak signal is just as easy, or easier, to copy with a wide bandwidth. Since wide filter bandwidth clearly must reduce the S/N rati
Cascaded filters, in two IF's, are essential for serious contest operation. Also, if you want to add one additional 250 Hz filter, it should be in the 455 kHz IF, as that filter will have much better
Those of us with little antennas in the Black Hole spend most of our time in DX contests in S&P mode, so we have to develop an efficient way of going about it. I scan the band, putting every potentia
I'll cast another vote in FAVOR of log checking. The important thing is that we all play by the same rules, and we know what they are. That's sure a lot better than wondering if you're penalizing you