[CQ-Contest] CQ tips and tricks - not

[Eric Hilding]

On Tue, 2004-12-21 at 23:50, Eric Hilding wrote:
 >> When I operated as "DX" last Spring, after a food or shower break, I came
 >> back on 20m looking for a "clear frequency".  After 20 to 30 M-I-N-U-T-E-S
 >> of "QRL?" only to have LOUD W/K stations (also heard them concurrently on
 >> 15 meters) and LOUD Europeans tell me to move, I finally said to h*ll with
 >> it and did the best I could to not end up zero beat with anyone.

Doug, W9WI wrote:

 > To be blunt but honest, anyone who employs this technique should be
 > disqualified

Umh, you mean disqualified for WASTING almost one-half hour trying to be a 
"Gentlemen"
whilst my competitors were cranking out QSOs?  Not to mention, excessive 
wear and tear
on the special "QRL?" external Macro button I configured *in anticipation* 
of USING IT (vs.
simply spinning the VFO dial and Calling CQ)?  Not to mention visions of 
sitting there pushing
the QRL? button for hours and hours ;-(

I would be willing to bet that NOBODY ELSE operating as a DX station *EVER* 
went to
such great lengths to try and avoid interfering with W/K or Euro stations 
in a "DX Contest".

You will note that I specifically stated that I "did the best I could to 
not end up zero beat
with anyone.  Maybe you missed that part?  Just because some SO2R stations 
would
like to have a clear 2Khz wide spot on TWO band dials, doesn't mean they 
will get it.

And when I spend money to go back to a DX locale, for a "DX" Contest, I am 
not willing to
be held hostage by W/K/Euro SO2R stations using up TWO channel allocations 
when the
laws of equitable distribution suggest that everyone should be entitled to 
at least ONE channel.

No, life is not fair, but come on now...SO2R does NOT guarantee anyone the 
right to the private,
exclusive use of TWO frequencies and wide-open filtering in a DX 
contest.  Period.

Will I continue to make sincere efforts to use my special "QRL?" key, 
attempt to be a Gentleman
and in a spirit of fairness diligently try not to step on anyone?  Yes, 
Yes, and YES.  But will I
take it in the shorts like last time?  No, No and NO.

FYI, I will copy in Dan Henderson at the ARRL.  If he, and/or the ARRL 
Contest Committee would
like to disqualify me for DILIGENT ATTEMPTS TO NOT CAUSE INTERFERENCE 
beyond what I
believe to be extremely reasonable efforts as stated, so be it.

73...

Rick, K6VVA

P.S. No, I will NOT "Blacklist" your call from my next CONTEST-Pedition :-)