[CQ-Contest] Pileups and calling freqs

[Gerry Hull]

I found that to be very true this weekend: (polar path) + pretty unique
suffix (AAA) =able to break many pileups easily.

Pretty large pileups on my end -- always easy to pick out high-side or
low-side ops, and of course QRQ guys stood out.

73, Gerry W1VE (@VY1AAA)

On Mon, Nov 26, 2018, 3:26 PM Bob Shohet, KQ2M <kq2m at kq2m.com wrote:

> I often pull out a callsign or part of a callsign by discerning the
> difference in the “beats” between loud guys calling on exactly the same
> frequency - the ever-present qsb makes that possible.  And there are
> usually differences in speed of the callers.  This technique works best
> when at least one station of the same signal strength is calling at a QRQ
> speed.   Of course now that it has become routine for at least one EU
> station to endlessly call regardless of who I ask for, the technique has
> become less effective, but still it is valuable.
>
> I always prefer to listen at the edges of a pileup, it’s become second
> nature for me.  The smarter ops routinely call that way knowing that the
> better ops usually listen on either side of their transmit freq.   And the
> qrp guys usually beat out the other loud stations because they are not
> trying to fight with the “big guys”, but rather, just to be heard.  So they
> use strategy as to how, when and where to call.  In my pileups (like this
> weekend), you either have to be really loud, super fast or a bit off freq.
> to get right through.  It is easiest to be off freq.   :-)   This works
> even better if you have polar flutter on your signal as a GOOD op will
> notice that THIS caller sounds different and that usually either means
> ground wave or a polar path signal.  Polar path always gets my attention as
> it usually means an interesting DX station, and frequently a new mult.
>
> 73
>
> Bob, KQ2M
>
>
> From: Bill kollenbaum via CQ-Contest
> Sent: Monday, November 26, 2018 1:34 PM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Pileups and calling freqs
>
> After listening to howling pileups all weekend, I have a tip for some of
> the less experienced guys.
> When 5, 10 or 15 guys are all calling on the same freq, especially with
> AGC on it sounds like one tone with QSB.  Unless you have a huge signal you
> sound like part of the single tone.  Do yourself a favor and go up or down
> a bit and call.  You would not believe how many of the lesser signals I
> responded to since I could hear them slightly up or down.  Since QRM is not
> as big an issue as back on the mainland I can run with the filters wider
> and have no problem with guys calling off freq.
> I'm sure many of the big guns have the same issue.
> Bill K4XS (KH7B, KH7XS)
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