[CQ-Contest] Enough of this Nonsense!

[John Laney]

I always have a keyer and paddle in parallel with the computer keying so 
that I can respond with the paddle if something happens like the 
computer locking up.  I recommend that to everyone.  BTW, it should be 
used when you are being called and don't have the call correctly into 
the logging program. Rather than losing the rhythm and waiting to get 
the call correct into the logging system, call the station with the 
paddle, let the computer send the exchange, and you can have the call in 
correctly before you need to copy the other station's exchange. 
Particularly, if you don't use full QSK, you will loose a lot of time if 
you wait until everything is perfect in the computer to send the call of 
the station you want to answer.  You will probably finally start sending 
his call when he starts to give his call again, you two will "double" 
and there will be silence when you finish the exchange.

Bottom line: to be really efficient in running, you need a paddle ready 
to go whenever the computer isn't ready and you need to always use QSK 
(if your amplifier has QSK).  If you don't have a QSK amplifier, you 
should get one or get a QSK-5 or equivalent and use it with your amplifier.

This applies whether your are SO2R or SO1R.

Another important check is to be sure that your F keys send what you 
think they should be sending.  This is really essential if you are not 
going to hear what the computer is sending during the contest.  Several 
times lately, I have heard top rank stations start a contest with the CQ 
message using one call and the TU message using a different call. 
Obviously the operator was not monitoring what his computer was sending 
and couldn't know how confusing he was to everyone trying to call.  I 
recommend listening to your computer sending during the contest, but if 
you can't stand to do that (and I understand how it might complicate 
SO2R) at least listen to the programmed messages before the contest 
starts and make sure the call being sent is always the same call.

73,


John, K4BAI.