[CQ-Contest] Secrets of Contesting, Chapter 14

[James Neiger]

Secrets of Contesting, Chapter 14

As we approach what is sometimes under-rated, but never should it be
diminished, the greatest of all DX Contests, the ARRL DX, perhaps it is
timely enough to state some of the basic principles of what it takes to be
successful in this contest.  Although my 'axioms of success' are directed
towards the successful W/VE operator, I believe that the DX operator can
also benefit.

What follows is what I believe to be as experienced from DX. If you can make
the DX end happy, then you have a chance of increasing your score.  Isn't
that what it should be all about??

These are the days of PACKET.  Love it or leave it.  We are all
beneficiaries of its prowess and victims of its success.
But recognizing that it is, and most probably always will be,you need
optimize your chance of being a beneficiary, and not a victim.

Let me, please, in commenting, I am NOT a packeteer, I am totally unqualifed
to comment as to what  may take to qualify as a successful packeteer from
state-side. Having said that, I believe that I might be able to provide some
'perspective' as to what the DX end in the ARRL DX might be looking for,
from you:

1.  Never ever rely on the packet spot as to WHAT the DX station call might
be.  Make sure that YOU hear the call.  Whatever it takes.  This is
absolutely fundamental to DX contesting.

2.MINIMIZE DUPES. Nothing's more of a waste of time. Figure it out,
please............

3. Never, ever, call a station unless you know 100% his callsign.  Ever.
(please see 1. and 2., above).  It's truly amazing to me HOW MANY call
without a clue.  Is this sound operating?  I think not.  Yes, the DX station
has the ultimate responsibility to identify on a regular basis.  In that
there are no defined standards, I can well appreciate that some
'ambiguities' might exist.  However, I believe that unless YOUR rate is 200+
per hour, it is your responsibility to harken to the DX station's operating
procedure.  Please, if you don't like it, don't call.  Simple.


4. Never, ever, come onto a DX station's frequency with a ?.  This will
probably QRM a station trying to give his call or state/province.  It will
only slow YOUR rate down.  Please let the DX station run the show.  As much
as you might think that YOUR call is what the DX station is dying to hear,
trust me, the succssful DX operator will let you know when he's ready for
your magnificent skills.........

5.  NEVER ask the QSL route.  This is fundamentally a European affliction,
but has softened with the years.

6.  NEVER, EVER, ask the DX station the WHEN of another band.  If you have
any skills, then you should be able to (1) know the when, and (2) know the
how.

7.  The successful W/VE operator most probably knows (1) the DX station's
call, (2) his operating "style" (does he QRQ?, does he listen high or low (I
believe that most of us listen high), (3) does he welcome tail-enders? (I
think that most do NOT these days),

8. Just because you're a multi-multi, never assume that Nos. 1-7 might not
apply to you.  To the DX station, you're probably just another run-of-the
mill loud station.  As they said in SPIDERMAN, "with extraordinay skills
come extraordinary responsibilties......."

Great going all.  Here we are so many years later; the fundamentals remain
extant.  There are no silver bullets.  And there are no subsitutes to the
fundamnetals:

Everything is about timing:  always has, always will be

Know the other guy's call

Don't call unless you're 100% as to whom you're calling

Your call, one time, in the right place, is everything.


Nothing left to this secret.


Vy 73,

Jim Neiger

N6TJ  ZD8Z