[CQ-Contest] Contest Cookbook

[Goss, Ed]

Hello,
    
Although I've been a fairly inactive contester in recent years, I still
maintain an interest in that aspect of the hobby.  I had toyed with the idea
of a manual for high-performance operating -- perhaps something I could get
some PVRCers interested in contributing to, as many contesters are also
DXers.  I put together a Table of Contents, but never did anything with it
This thread on a contest book prompted me to dig it out.
 
At the time I was thinking of a combined "handbook/operating" manual, with
the working title of:

	HIGH PERFORMANCE AMATEUR RADIO
	Station Design and Operating
	A Guide for Contesting and DXing

Table of Contents to go something like:

History/Background
Training/Building Interest
Station Design Concepts
	-utilization of existing space
	-selection of equipment...xcvrs, amps, keyers, etc.
	-human factors...tables, chairs, equipment orientation
	-cooling
	-QSK
	-auto-tuning
	-filters, DSP
	-voice keyers, microphones, headphones
	-useful hamfest items
	-station safety
Antenna Design
	-towers
	-antenna itself, materials, construction techniques
	-feedlines
	-switching
	-lightning protection
	-setup and maintenance
Computer Interface and Software
	-controlling antennas
	-logging
	-interface with equipment
	-QSLing
	-packet
	-keyboard design
Operating Stategies
	-Contests...SO2R, low power, multi-op, wire antennas only, etc.
	-High band, VHF strategies
	-DXing
	-propagation
	-CW vs Phone
	-special techniques...RTTY, etc.
	-spotting
	-nutrition, thoughts on food and hydration
	-emergency repairs, contigency/backup equipment
	-tips and tricks
	-the day after...lessons learned
	-breaking pileups
	-lists
	-selecting frequencies
	-running vs S&P
Contact Points
	-Clubs and organizations
	-Talks, presentations, and articles

--Ed, N3CW--




> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chuck [mailto:discreetly_confidential at yahoo.com]
> Sent: Wednesday, January 23, 2002 2:50 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Cc: k3ft at erols.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Contest Cookbook
> 
> 
> 
> At the risk of opening a LARGE can of worms and adding to
> the already squirming and writhing bunch currently on the
> table, I would like to suggest this.
> 
> 
> Let's move ahead with our ideas for a Contest-oriented
> publication.  The interest is there.. the enthusiasm to
> contribute is there.. and the ability to get it done
> exists. We have the knowledge and skills availbale in our
> circle to 'peer review' the articles to make sure the
> technical side is accurate as we can make it and the
> factual presentations are, well, factual and honest.
> 
> If, after we do it, we have some kind of reasonable,
> tangible  product to offer we can present the ARRL (through
> the contest branch) with 'our ideas and product' and that
> may make it more palatable since it's a 'meal that's
> already cooked.. all they have to do is arrange it so it
> looks nice to them' and saves them time, energy, and mental
> thought.
> 
> Again.. if they dont' like it.. well, we have resources
> we've not tapped yet for distribution and production. So..
> ONWARD!
> 
> In fact.. since MANY contest-specific issues ('A Single
> Tower Station') have DIRECT application to ANYONE who might
> wish to (or be planning to) install a tower, it spills over
> into the non-contest world, immediataly cross-pollinating
> that environment -'If we print it.. they will come'
> 
> 'Setting Up Your Station' so it is an effective,
> comfortable contest setup has direct application to ANYONE
> who wants a comfortable 'fun to operate' station layout.
> 
> Audio routing, power routing, RF routing, grounding, cable
> layout, ergonomics (learned from the REAL WORLD of sititng
> there for 12  hours fiddling with the dials), etc.
> 
> My own case revoles around a submission dealing with
> oppoing at a real contest station M/M for after a lot of
> years of being 'away' from it. (Tentative title is I have
> for my own contribution) 'THE THRILL OF VICTORY AND THE
> AGONY OF 'DE SEAT' which relates to becoming involved,
> after a lot of years, with a real contest group and opping
> a serious strechth of time with the inherent learning that
> comes from it.
> 
> So.. if someone wants to spear head the collection and we
> can arrange a group of INTERESTED folks who have some
> skills in editing, review, and the like.. let's go for it.
> 
> First step in a long journey is the hardest part.
> 
> Ok?
> 
> Can opened.. Worms spilled.. Commence squirming!
> 
> 73
> 
> Chuck K3FT
> Reply to k3ft at erols.com
> 
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