[SECC] Some Thoughts about NAQP CW This Saturday

[John Laney]

Hello all:

Some random thoughts about NAQP CW this Saturday.  The weather forecast 
is not too good with possibilities of storms around here.  Safety first, 
of course.  If storms may cause you to lose operating time later, you 
might consider postponing your off times and see if you can take them 
when you are forced to take them later.

The NAQP runs from 1800Z Saturday until 0559Z Sunday.  1 PM Saturday to 
1 PM Sunday EST.  All single operators may run no more than 100 watts 
and may not use any spotting assistance.  Single operators may operate 
only 10 of the 12 hours and off times must be at least 30 minutes.  That 
means if your last QSO before a break is 2300Z, for example, you may not 
make the next QSO before 2331Z.  Don't make the mistake of making it at 
2330Z, which would mean only 29 minutes off.  Most stations will call 
"CQ NA."  Others, maybe just "CQ TEST."  I don't think there are any 
other major contests being run at the same time.

I like to take my first off time when the XYL is ready to serve supper. 
That is better for me than asking her to serve me supper at the radio. 
You can eat at the radio more easily on CW than on SSB, but it will be a 
distraction.  That usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes.  The other off time I 
usually take at the end.  So, I may finish up an hour to 90 minutes 
before the end.  Then I get closer to a normal night's sleep and I am 
not QRV during the last hours when many on the East Coast, at least, 
have dropped out.  The rates can be lower toward the end.  The other 
side of that coin is that a lot of 80 and 160M mults may be available in 
those last hours that weren't workable earlier.

10M is likely to be a non issue in this contest unless you can work a 
local station up there.  However, 10 was reported open one day this week 
at 1800Z.  So, I'd listen to the high bands before the contest period 
starts and start operating on the highest open band.

As in almost every other contest, it is necessary to run some and to 
search and pounce some.  You want the best mixture of this that will 
give you rate for total QSOs and will also maximize your multipliers. 
Multipliers are counted per band.  You may work each station on each of 
the six bands.  You may be asked to QSY to another band and I try to 
accommodate those requests.  I will also make requests when I am running 
and run across a station that I need as a multiplier on another band 
that might be open.  You may want to keep a QSY frequency in mind for 
each band.  If you ask someone to QSY to another band, you will suggest 
a frequency on that band.  Particularly going to a very busy band, you 
may want to suggest a frequency high or low in the band, so you have a 
chance to hear each other even if signals are weak.  It is generally a 
waste of time when you are search and pouncing to ask the station you 
call to QSY to another band unless it is a good friend who might not 
mind giving up his run frequency to help you out.

There will be some M/2 stations in the contest.  W4AQL is planning to be 
M/2 in NAQP SSB the next weekend.  M/S stations have limited QSY times 
(they must stay on a band for ten minutes after the first QSO on that 
band at that time).  But, they will probably know the frequency of the 
other station at their QTH.  So, if a station calls you and you ask him 
to QSY and he gives a different frequency than you have requested, agree 
with him.  That means that his other station is running on the suggested 
frequency.  So, look for the station calling CQ on or near that 
frequency.  If you know someone is M/2, you can ask the one you work 
where the other station is QRV.  Usually, you don't know.  M/2 stations 
may operate the whole 12 hour period.  They may not be on teams.

You must use the same name for the entire contest, whether you are 
single op or M/2.  It is usually best to use the name you are known by. 
There are files with "pre fill" names and QTHs and you will get fewer 
requests for repeats if you use your usual name.  Once in a NAQP SSB, we 
used "Buckeye" to recognize a recent win by Jeff, KU8E's alma mater, 
Ohio State.  We got too many request for fills for that name.

Sometimes people use a friend's name who has recently become a silent 
key to honor him. I think that some may use "Paul" to honor N4PN in this 
contest.  To change your name to "Paul" or anything other than your 
usual name will honor the deceased ham, but may cause confusion.

If you have a pre fill file (I do not plan to use one), you need to be 
particularly vigilant and listen to what is sent to you and change the 
information if the pre fill information isn't what is being sent.

Multipliers are States, VE areas, DC, and NA countries outside the US 
and Canada. Though not in North America, Hawaii does count as a state 
multiplier in this contest.  Your logging software should figure out the 
multiplier bit if you enter the information sent.

It might be helpful to re-read the contest rules before the contest 
starts.  You can find them by a computer search for "NAQP 2020" or from 
the WA7BNM Contest Calendar link for rules.

Early in the contest, I find it helpful to try to run some so that you 
may be called by hams who will soon tire of the contest.  If you are 
only doing S&P at the start, you won't work those stations.  If you hear 
a good multiplier, it is worthwhile to take some time to work it even if 
you have to wait to get through a pile up.  But, you have to balance 
that.  If it is taking "too long," put the frequency in a memory and 
come back and try for the multiplier later when the pile up may have 
gone down.

NA countries are seldom very active in this contest, although VP5/KT3M 
(Dave) will be QRV from Turks & Caicos.  So, NA countries, VE areas, and 
some states such as HI, AK, RI, VT maybe, ND, NE may be scarce.

The exchange is Name + SPC (such as "JOHN GA").  If you work a DX 
station outside NA, his exchange is only Name.  If your logging program 
won't log the QSO without a QTH, put "DX" in the QTH box.

I don't find that I run very effectively in these contests on the bands 
higher than 20, so I do mostly S&P on 15 and 10 if open.  It never hurts 
to call a few CQs on a clear frequency to see if someone will call. 
Maybe you will be surprised.  So, I will start on 10 or 15 doing S&P if 
either or both are open.  I'll S&P for a few minutes and then try to run 
some on 20.  If I don't get answers to my CQs on 20, I will do S&P there 
too.

I try to consider changing bands every half hour.  So, if I start for a 
few minutes on 15, then run on 20M, at the half hour, I'll check back on 
10 and 15 and S&P for any new stations or multipliers.  After 15 dies, I 
will check on 40M every half hour or so.  You may need to get the more 
local mults early on 40 and 80 in case of long skip on those bands 
later.  I'd try to make my first check of 40M not later than 2200Z to 
get the more local mults there, earlier if the rate on 20 seems too 
slow.  But you will have 40M for the entire contest and 20M has been 
closing in the early afternoon.

On 20M try to get the east coast mults early as the west coast will stay 
in longer.  When you go to 40 to run, every half hour or so consider 
checking back on 20M.  Those late checks of the higher bands may bring 
some rare mults like HI and AK and VE areas.  After you are running on 
80, consider every 30 minutes or so whether to check back on 40M.

160M QSOs and mults are often harder for us because we are not located 
near major population areas.  But it's easier in January than in August. 
  I try to go to 160M to pick up whatever I can beginning about 0130Z. 
After the first go at 160M, I consider about every half hour whether I 
should return to 160M for a quick check for mults.  Some have suggested 
to go to 160M on the half hour beginning about 0230Z until it is over or 
you run out of time.  So, on the half hour in the evening is a good time 
to check that band.

Activity on 15, 20, and 40 will be higher above 025 kHz than below 
because many believe it is better to be in the portion of the band where 
any ham may call you than to be in the Extra class portion.  Often in 
the Extra class portion of the band, you will find it easier to find a 
run frequency.

If you hear a NA DX country station even if he is not in the contest, if 
he is making quick QSOs, it would be wise to get in line and pick up his 
multiplier.  Of course, you will need to persuade him to give you his name.

If you are planning to be full time or nearly full time and storms are 
not a problem, some people feel it is better to take off 30 minutes at a 
time during the afternoon, particularly if the rate starts to drop. 
That was the philosophy of our SECC founder, W4AN.  If you are really 
hurting for west coast mults on the low bands, maybe it would be wise to 
take time off and operate the last few hours when conditions at a 
distance on the low bands will be better.  You will have to decide your 
off-time strategy and sometimes band conditions will cause you to change 
your off-time plans on the fly.

Of course, we wouldn't do this if it wasn't fun.  So, have fun.  Avoid 
frequency fights.

If anyone has other specific questions or wants to disagree, please feel 
free to do so.

I hope many of our contesters in the area will be QRV in the contest 
even if not on a team.  The more activity, the more fun for everybody.

73, John, K4BAI.