[CQ-Contest] A few tips for CQ WW CW

[Randy Thompson K5ZD]

A few pieces of advice for those operating in CQ WW CW this weekend.

Make sure you know who you are working.  With the short exchange, it is easy
for two running stations near the same frequency to get in synch.  Both
reply to a caller.  The caller is only working one of them.  Someone gets a
Not-In-Log (NIL) with the +2x penalty.  If something doesn't sound right,
ask for a repeat. 

This is especially true if you are chasing spots.  With stations close
together, you may click on a spot and actually be working a station that is
near the spot frequency, but not the station you think it is.  We also see
many cases where a spotted station leaves a frequency and is replaced by
someone new.  People click on the spot and log the station that was there
before.

Pay attention to callsigns with lots of dots. KH6ND often becomes K5BND!
S50A becomes SH0A. (Watch out for calls like BI4SSB.) With the busted call
penalty, these can be expensive errors.

Please enter the correct category in your log.  If you use the Cluster, CW
Skimmer or RBN, you are in the Assisted category.  

If you want to enter single band and also work stations on other bands, put
all QSOs into one log and then mark the CATEGORY-BAND in the header.  DO NOT
SEND MULTIPLE ENTRIES FOR THE SAME CALLSIGN!  Each log will overwrite the
previous one.

Use the web page to upload your log. http://www.cqww.com/logcheck/  This
page will give immediate feedback on the format of your log. Once you go
through the checking, your log is NOT submitted until you enter your email
address and press submit. When you receive the email confirmation OR see
your log on the logs received page
(http://www.cqww.com/logs_received_cw.htm) then you know your log has been
received.

If you notice someone breaking the rules or that has a bad signal, make a
note of the call, time, and frequency, and send a note to questions at cqww.com
after the contest. 

Be considerate and enjoy the magic of radio. Most of all - have fun!


Randy Thompson, K5ZD
Director - CQ WW DX Contest 
email: k5zd at cqww.com
web: www.cqww.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cqwwdx