ARRL Rookie Roundup - SSB
Call: ND0C
Operator(s): ND0C
Station: ND0C
Class: Non-Rookie QRP
QTH: MN
Operating Time (hrs): 2.5
Summary:
Band QSOs
------------
80:
40: 2
20: 26
15:
10:
------------
Total: 28 Mults = 17 Total Score = 952
Club: Minnesota Wireless Association
Comments:
I enjoyed the opportunity to give some rookies a contact. I ran QRP (as
always), but brought the Argonaut out of mothballs for this one to run 3 watts
out. The rookies are at various points on the learning curve and some are
already doing a great job. It was especially cool to hear the really young
operators getting the hang of things - and having fun!
This operating activity is a great concept, but the whole spotting issue needs
to worked out. There were some obvious self-spots, undoubtedly due to the
operators not reading the rules closely enough. There was also some apparent
spotting by family members. I think it really reinforces the need for some
heavy emphasis on what is proper (and legal) in any contest. Personally I
think there needs to be less empasis on pushing these inexperienced folks to do
some fancy on-line logging and more emphasis on the basic culture of contesting:
proper (ethical) conduct and knowing and complying with the rules. (My bias: I
don't like spotting in contests and this is only the 3rd time I've ever used it
in a contest - always compliant with my category of entry. For a QRPer S&Ping
in a big contest it is really counter-productive anyway.) For the rookies, I
think there is value to learning some basic contesting skills before throwing
in using spots. I think tuning a band for multipliers without the crutch of
the spotting network has become a lost art. I worry that we will create
another generation of packet lizards.
My first contest was the Novice Round-Up in 1969. Wow - so many things have
changed since then, equipment, logging, spotting, skimmer, and hopefully my
skills! I may still not be a top contester, even within the QRP ranks, but I'd
like to think that after 40 years I've learned a few things. The point is we
all have to start somewhere and learn from there - nobody was born knowing
these things. The fortunate rookies are those that are being actively mentored
by an "ol' hand". Thanks to all those that hosted rookies! The others (like I
did) are kind of learning by trial and error, and mimicking what they hear
others do. So in that respect we are all mentors at a distance. - Another
sobering reminder to be on our best behavior as we contest!
Pop-gun station: Ten Tec Argonaut 509 (3w output), 3 el. tribander Yagi at 48'
and dipole at 40'
73,
Randy, ND0C
You don't have to be crazy to contest using QRP ... but it helps.
Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.hornucopia.com/3830score/
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