[SECC] [Contest] ARRL 10m Contest

[John Laney]

I've never used packet spots or skimmer in an ARRL 10M contest except 
when WW4LL and I did a M/S from PJ4Z in 2004.  I have done the contest 
SO HP CW and SO HP Mixed Mode.  I usually do mixed mode so I can help 
the club with more points, it isn't quite so boring when the band is 
only marginally open, it is a more challenging category to enter, and 
doesn't K1TO in FL always win the Division for SO HP CW anyway? 
Actually, I was quite competitive from W4AN in SO HP CW and think once I 
came in second in the US to K1KI.  Only after the contest when I was 
complaining about not having enough AF gain for weak JA stations on one 
MP did Bill say that he had forgotten that he had turned off the 
internal preamp while he was working DX on 160 and forgot to turn it 
back on or to tell me.  Probably wouldn't have made a difference, but we 
didn't need to get the MP repaired.

I like to run whenever I can get a decent rate. When the rate drops, 
I'll S&P like mad.  If you are mixed mode, you need to be alert to the 
opportunity to move a mult to the other mode if you need it there.

This weekend could be great if conditions continue as they have been. 
Unfortunately, I have a high line noise frequently on 10M and it will be 
a big handicap.  A lot of contacts are made groundwave or backscatter 
with very weak stations with rapid QSB.  The line noise makes those 
contacts hard to make and confirm.  Also, my Alpha 78 will only run 
about 600W in the CW band.  It will run a lot more in the SSB band, so I 
guess my TH6DXX is no longer favoring the CW band, which may be good 
overall now that SSB stations are being found above 29 mHz in SSB 
contests.  I may try to switch to my Alpha 91b for this weekend since no 
band changing will be involved.  I usually use the 78 because it has a 
broad band position for 80, 40, 20, and 15, so that you need to tune the 
amp only when you go to 10 or 160.

Wish everyone a lot of fun, a lot of QSOs, and a big score this weekend. 
  If I don't hear you through the line noise, please forgive me.  I will 
be trying to make every contact I can.

Remember that there is a time limit for all categories (36 hours).  Also 
remember that Mexican States count as multipliers beginning last  year. 
  You can get a list from the contest website.  There will be a lot of 
Mexican stations on in the contest.  It is a matter of pride for them 
and a big boost to the scores for us.

73, John, K4BAI.