[CQ-Contest] Operating Methods or Equipment?

[Kelly Taylor]

Hi Bob,

Don't get discouraged. First off, propagation for this contest wasn't great
from here. It may have been better where UP4L was than where you were.

Secondly, a fan dipole at 25 feet is really nothing for an antenna. You can
have fun with it, but you'll never win a contest.

As an example of large stations, look at even VE6JY:

5/5/5/5 for 10
5/5/5/5 for 15
4/4/4/4 for 20
LPDA, 3 el. full size yagi and 5 el. full-size yagi for 40
4-el. OWA yagi for 80 at 165 feet.

That kind of hardware is going to outclass a fan dipole the same way a
Formula One race car will out accelerate a golf cart. Don't let that
discourage you: some of the highest scores (the low-power record, in fact)
in SS were set using a tribander and shorty forty on a single tower. VE4GV
and K6LL both have great fun, and post great scores, with modest stations.

Also, UP4L was high power, you were low power. High power cuts a larger hole
in the band and attracts more callers.

Were you CQing or Searching and Pouncing? To get rate, you must CQ. There
can be only so many CQers on a band at once but there is always stations
trolling for new blood. Make some noise and you'll get some calls.

Lastly, consider where you are in your contesting career. Even Michael
Schumacher (or Jeff Gordon, if NASCAR is a better example) started out in
go-karts. As you build your station and your experience, your scores will
get better.

And remember, life's a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the trip, have fun
along the way. That's the whole point of any hobby, no? And don't let ANYONE
tell you this can't be fun!

73, kelly
ve4xt