[CQ-Contest] Phone Phollies

[Ward Silver]

Just some of the usual grouchy post-contest observations...

1) Geez - some UGLY signals out there, especially on 40, it seemed.  Guys -
back off on the drive!  Yes - I had my noise blanker OFF, preamp OFF,
attenuator IN - still UGLY and WIDE.  Just because the knob goes to 10
doesn't mean it's a good idea.

2) Compression - it works really well on background noise.  Just as well as
on your voice.  Tip - if the power output meter looks like RTTY 100% duty
cycle output when you're talking, no one can understand you.  Even if you
yell louder.  This is particularly obnoxious when the DVK exchange message
is full of background noise.  Really - it's hard to understand
over-compressed voice - you're hurting your score by lowering the
intelligibility.  You want punch, not smash.

3) DVK - when you change ops, change messages.  Very disconcerting and
occasionally Q-busting when the CQ is one guy and the answer another.  A
number of software packages allow you to do this on the PC.  If you're using
a standalone keyer, take a few seconds and re-record the messages from time
to time.

4) Using digital numbers.
It...sounds...like...a...bad...phone...menu...system.  Don't do it.  Just
use DVK for CQs and the stuff that doesn't change.

73, Ward N0AX