[CQ-Contest] Running by the numbers

Sun Jul 4 16:58:09 EDT 2021

I like Martti and I've operated with him. However his style is a
little bit different. He tends to ragchew a little in some of the
pileups. I don't do that. But that is his style.

As for what I've done, I have explained that to some who asked me
privately but this is what I do.

1. Listen
2. Thin out the pileup by going split and/or picking off the strong
stations quickly. Yes, it does reward the lids a little but they will
just keep calling and there is nothing you can do about them. You have
to pick your battles. Telling them to shut up won't make them go away.
3. Pick out meaningful partials and call them. Don't call "the zulu
station" but you can call "4 x-ray zulu." Try for three characters
minimum.
4. The weak ones will show up, and when they do, work them. Try to
pick out their full calls the first time, otherwise see #3
5. Geographic areas are preferable to numbers. Numbers have become
largely meaningless today thanks to the FCC and also remote operation.
Many ops are confused - if I have a 2 call and I live in 6 land, which
do I answer? If you go by area, that variable is eliminated
completely.
6. Know your propagation and work with it. Some areas will be weaker.
Don't waste your time with marginal propagation to an area unless you
know it is a limited opening. Plan ahead and do directional calls
during that time. When that area becomes optimal work on them.
7. Don't feel bad if you aren't 100% fair. Do the best you can.
8. Don't operate AKTR (all knobs to right). I turn my RF gain down, as
a rule. With Flex I turn the AGC-T up. You will hear better.
9. Stand your ground but ignore those who make comments. I hear all
sorts of ops lecturing to the pileup... you're wasting your time. They
don't care. You could be making QSOs in that time.
10. Always record... you review your recordings and learn...

73
Ria, N2RJ

On Sun, Jul 4, 2021 at 4:06 PM Steve Dyer W1SRD via CQ-Contest
<cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:
>
> Everyone has an opinion here, but Martti Laine put some good words down
> about pileup management several years ago.
>
> Worth a read or re-read.
>
> http://www.ncdxf.org/newsletters/2015-AUTUMN.pdf
>
> 73,
> Steve
> W1SRD
>
> >
> > There are better ways than by the numbers.
> >
> > 73
> > Ria, N2RJ
> >
> >
> > Such as?  I've heard ideas from other people, but what are your suggestions?
> >
> > 73,
> > Ken, AB1J
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: rjairam at gmail.com <rjairam at gmail.com>
> > To: Hans Brakob <kzerohb at gmail.com>
> > Cc: xaxaxaxa yayayaya <cqtestk4xs at aol.com>; cq-contest at contesting.com <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> > Sent: Sun, Jul 4, 2021 2:42 am
> > Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Running by the numbers
> >
> > I have not. I have operated from 9Y beaming Europe though. The W,
> > particularly W4 wall is real. And I did manage to work one Guam
> > station in that pile too by the way.
> >
> > There are better ways than by the numbers.
> >
> > Care to assume something else? :)
> >
> > 73
> > Ria, N2RJ
> >
> > On Sat, Jul 3, 2021 at 10:39 PM Hans Brakob <kzerohb at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> You’re never been on Guam beaming USA on 15m, over the top of 1.2 million JA “10 watters”, all needing their first KG6 in the log
> >>
> >> 73, de Hans, KØHB
> >> “Just a Boy and his Radio”™
> >> ________________________________
> >> From: CQ-Contest <cq-contest-bounces+kzerohb=gmail.com at contesting.com> on behalf of rjairam at gmail.com <rjairam at gmail.com>
> >> Sent: Saturday, July 3, 2021 3:02:14 PM
> >> To: xaxaxaxa yayayaya <cqtestk4xs at aol.com>
> >> Cc: cq-contest at contesting.com <cq-contest at contesting.com>
> >> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Running by the numbers
> >>
> >> As a rule I never do it. I've had some thick pileups like ARRL
> >> centennial and 13 colonies. I just never do it. I have other ways to
> >> thin the pile that to me are more effective.
> >>
> >> 73
> >> Ria, N2RJ
> >>
> >> On Sat, Jul 3, 2021 at 2:13 PM Bill kollenbaum via CQ-Contest
> >> <cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:
> >>> I've been running by the numbers for years...when necessary.  I've done it  both in and out of contests.
> >>> from KH6 fluttery weak EU stations were an issue, as were big USA pileups.
> >>> Keys to success:
> >>> Only do it when your rate slows because you can't pull them out fast enough (especially in spotted pileups)
> >>> Stick to the number.  NEVER call someone with the wrong number.  You'll be sorry you did.
> >>> Go quickly through the numbers...maybe two or three for each to avoid getting the natives restless.
> >>> End with zeroes or nines.  The guys get pissed if you stop at five or six etc.
> >>> Back around 2009 a few guys and I decided to a 1E  from my station in KH6 using high power.  The pileups were as big as I've ever had and we were forced to go by the numbers.  Dozens of modest FD stations all sounded like an S-5 buzz.  We did the numbers for hours with that one.  However, one of the inexperienced guys broke the cardinal rule and started taking anybody while doing it by the numbers and all hell broke loose.
> >>> Bill  K4XS/KH7XS/V31XX
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