[CQ-Contest] Splqdecripity

[Bob Gates]

Barry,

I hear what you're saying re: Tip #1.  In this particular case, he was mentioned
three times so I felt fairly comfortable.  For the most part, I didn't bother to
read the cluster at all because, once spotted, a rare station would have a
gazillion people already descending on him.  I pretty much just scanned the band
to find stations I hadn't worked.  As it was, I pretty well worked almost every
station I could hear over about S5.  That's S9 +20 for the rest of you.

Regarding your Tip #2, however, if I gave up after 30-60 seconds I wouldn't have
worked anybody.  Must admit, however, that I took over an hour and a half to
work Marti Laine (op from EA8BH) on 80 meters.  Every few minutes he would
change his listening frequency.  I'd speed dial to the new freq. and just knew I
was the first one there.  Not to be.  I'm willing to bet he heard me, but just
wanted to see how many times he could get me to change freqs.  I finally wore
him out, and I'm willing to bet he came back just to get rid of me.

In all seriousness, though, it was a delight listening to him manage a
frequency.  He'd QRZ and pick up three or four complete or partial calls.  Then
he'd work through each of them at almost a leisurely pace.  Then another QRZ to
pick up a few more.  Any new contester who wants to learn how to operate a
contest would be well served to take the time to just sit and listen to him for
a while.  The man is a master, and I was delighted to work him for a four band
sweep.

73, Bob W7BJ
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Barry
  To: Bob Gates ; cq-contest
  Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 6:09 AM
  Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Splqdecripity


  Tip #1: Never depend on the Cluster for a callsign, especially if
  it's a difficult-to-copy call.  There's a good chance it's wrong.
  Ask Tom, 8P1A, how many pileups started and they were all dupes
  because someone spotted him as AP1A.

  Tip#2: If you can't get the call in a reasonable amount of time (30-
  60 secs?), move on - especially when it's not multiplier.  There are
  enough other stations to work.

  73,
  Barry W2UP