[SECC] K4BAI Claimed Score NAQP CW

[John Laney]

RF, WF4W, asked me to expound on the technique of balancing running and 
S&P to maximize mults while operating SO1R.

Of course, it depends on the contest.  For example, in WPX contests, you 
need mults, but they come naturally when you are running.  So it 
probably affects only how long you wait for a QSO with a new mult when 
you are doing S&P.  In all contests, you need to mix S&P and run or you 
will miss the stations only doing S&P or only running.  In WPX, however, 
I'd never do S&P as a single op if the runs were productive.  However, 
even there, you are limited to 36 hours, so you choose your off times so 
that you have the best chance for new mults.  For example, I did the WPX 
single op from PJ4 three times, and every time I had to choose an 
operating time when QSOs to Japan were possible, even though the rates 
weren't as high as when the bands were open to other areas, but I didn't 
want to miss all those JA possible mults.

In a contest like NAQP, maybe it is just that I can't keep up a run 
consistently.  15 or 20 minutes on the high and low bands and maybe 45 
minutes at night on 40.  But, I am always going to other bands or at 
least listening to other bands.  All through the day, I was checking 10 
meters whenever I would QSY to another band, I'd stop by 10 for a brief 
check.  If you have a panadapter that covers other bands, I guess you 
could use it for the same purpose, if such a panadaper exists.  I 
listened to 10M at the start (and before the start), but started on 15M 
because I knew it wouldn't last long.  Could never run on 15M and had to 
turn the beam in the wrong direction for most QSOs.  Had a brief time of 
Es into Ontario and NY at the start.  Caribbean stations were always 
strong.  HH2AA, 8P5A, NP2X.  HP3SS couldn't hear me on 15M.  So, a few 
minutes picking up whatever QSOs/mults I could hear on 15.  Try to CQ 
with no result.  Running during the first few hours was best on 20.  In 
fact, I had a hard time in the first hour doing S&P on 20 because so 
many other stations were calling those who were able to run.  So, I ran 
mostly on 20M, but would move slightly to call a new mult if I heard one 
off the side. And then always S&P when the run dries up.  As a general 
rule, if I call three or four CQs with no answers, I think about doing 
something else. QSY or turn the beam or change antennas to one that 
favors a different direction.

My usual practice in NAQPs is to start on the highest open band, work 
what is available, and CQ on the next lower band.  But, I try to check 
back at least every 30 minutes until there are no signals left on the 
higher band. So, if we think of a NAQP at the top of the cycle, I'd 
start on 10, then go to 15, and run a bit on 20.  After that, it is 
usually 10M on the hour and 15 on the half hour and run on 20 whenever 
the QSOs are not easy on 10 or 15.

I try to get in at least one pass on 40M before the sun goes down to be 
sure to get the QSOs and mults from the close in stations before the 
band goes long(er).

After 20 rate drops, I try to run on 40, but check back on 20M every 
half hour.  This weekend, 20M opened up short skip to the east coast 
after it seemed it was going out, but not too many ops knew about it 
(unless they were SO2R).  By checking back on 20M after 40 and 80 seemed 
to be the main bands, I worked KH6, KL7 and maybe a few other rarer mults.

While running on 80, I check 160M every half hour on the half hour. 
Toward the end, perhaps I check 160M more often as there are always more 
unworked mults there than on 160M.  Part of that is just my poor
160M antenna.

Of course, in NAQP I am always trying to get a new mult on another band 
to QSY if he calls me during a run.  I had a few successful QSYs, mainly 
from 20 to 15 and from 20 to 40 during the weekend contest.  Of course, 
KU8E and I made quick QSYs to all six bands.  You should have some local 
guy that you can depend on to that with. And those of us near state 
lines need to have one in each state. I could have used an AL station to 
QSY to the bands higher than 20M this contest.  I should have asked W1BO 
to QSU to 15 and 10 when he called me on 20M.

I find it is a waste of time to ask another single op station to QSY if 
I am calling him in S&P.  Unless he is a really good friend or someone 
who asked me to QSY earlier and maybe it wasn't successful but seems 
more likely now.  (Like W9RE to 20M from 40M after the short skip had 
opened.)  If you can figure out who are the real M/2 stations, sometimes 
you may ask what frequency the other station is using on another band. 
This is easier done on SSB than on CW or RTTY.

If someone else asks me to QSY to another band, I usually give it a try 
even if I don't need to station for a mult. After all, I am in S&P mode 
and it is as easy to try another band when you have rig control from the 
computer as it is to seek another station on the current band, and that 
will tell you something about propagation on the other band too.

I'll copy this to the SECC reflector in case others may be interested. 
73, John, K4BAI.