[CQ-Contest] How did these guys get to be so good?

[n2nl at yahoo.com]

Subject:        	Re: [CQ-Contest] How did these guys get 
to be so good?


On Wed, 8 Aug 2001 21:24:58 -0700, Leigh S. Jones wrote:

>Truthfully, I think one of the more intriguing questions is how will a
>new operator joining the amateur ranks these days ever get as 
good as
>these guys.


Easy....
   They sit down and operate beside the best (Multi-ops). A great 
contesting Elmer doesn't hurt either.

     About 13 years ago (17 years old) I was in my "own little ham 
radio world", ragchewing with the guy across town.  One night I 
was listening around and heard this gigantic signal calling "CQ 
test".  It got my attention, and I later found out it was that guy with 
the two huge towers that lived a couple miles from me.  
     That's how I met Joe, W2REH, my contesting elmer.  He invited 
me over, and allowed me to use his station.  He got me hooked on 
contesting, and got me involved with the Frankford Radio Club.
     Eventually, I got the call from KZ2S (N2NC) and started joining 
the N2RM M/M efforts of the early 90's, operating beside N2NT, 
N2AA, W2RQ, N5NJ, and even KQ2M once.  I watched and and 
tried to learn their operating styles.  
     When I was transferred to Guam, I had to learn pileup 
techniques.  S&P was tougher as well being 8,000 miles from all 
the mults (EU and Carribean).
    I was extremely excited this past year when I got to operate 
beside K1TO during the CQWW CW.  I observed an intensity level I 
hadn't seen before.  My next goal is to try to match his intensity 
(and not get lazy working the 2nd rig 30 hours into the contest).

    I can only speak for myself, but watching others, learning from 
my mistakes, and continually trying to improve my skills have 
gotten me to the point where I feel I'm competitive with others.  


73, Dave N2NL

Another note....you know that N6MJ guy?  We used to compete 
against each other in the county hunter net pileups a few years 
ago.  I got bored and quit after about 2,500, but Dan didn't quit until 
he worked them all.  Breaking little pileups every time a mobile 
station got to a new "county line" were great practice!


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