Part II - Run Mode
for New and Returning contesters!
We talked about S&P Mode so now it's time
to face the dreaded and most feared mode of all. You knew this day was
coming so lets get started. It's no worse than your first solo drive
after getting your drivers license. I know your palms are a
little sweaty but NAQP is the easiest place to start.
So tell me again why I want to do this? I
was already having fun in S&P mode. I'm comfortable and in
control going at my own pace.
- #1 Reason - SCORE
- #2 Reason - SCORE
- Run Mode will increase your score right now
today
- Score dramatically increases with more
practice.
- You ARE in control
- Fun meter jumps 15dB
You are the captain in charge.
You control the wheel and speed. Not too fast your
first time out. You are unsure what to expect when they start calling
you. All you need is name and state. NAQP is
easy. No high speed cut numbers to worry about
here.
Find a clear spot to call CQ. The higher
up the band the less crowded and a good place to start. Set your
speed where you feel comfotable. Call CQ and keep it short. There
are many ways to do this. Here are a few example: 1) CQ NA K1ZZI
K1ZZI 2) NA K1ZZI K1ZZI NA 3) NA K1ZZI K1ZZI. You can use many
variations. Start with a short call. Notice "de" K1ZZI is not
used. It's extra stuff in a contest... drop the "de". Save the
longer CQ calls for when activity slows down.
Here we go: NA K1ZZI K1ZZI
- Pause listen 3 or 4 seconds max. Open up your filter
around 500Hz. In S&P you can keep your filter much
tighter but in Run you want your filter wider because
people call off frequency. You can miss callers
if it's too narrow. Turn on your RX RIT. Swing your RIT quickly
listening. You heard a call off frequency but you're not sure he was
calling you? Send ? or AGN and listen. Don't send QRZ? de
K1ZZI K. Keep it short! He's not exactly on your QRG
(frequency) but he gave his call again. Take it and start the
exchange.
Don't know why W4BQF would call me off
frequency. Must be his new K3 so our exchange goes like this:
W4BQF RALPH GA (pause for W4BQF) TU TOM GA (TOM pauses for ack) TU
K1ZZI - I'm listening for the next caller. Oops 2 people called
me at the same time and I missed everything... send ? Now I only copied a
VE3 prefix so I'm sticking with him and send VE3? I pickup the call
and do the exchange. Hopefully the 2nd station waited and
calls again.
The next station calls in at 35+ WPM when you
are running 18 WPM. That is really not nice but it happens. Most
OP's are considerate. Reply QRS (slow down) That should do
it.
NAQP is the easiest contest to get
started. Practice practice. One thing
I still do is pick out a good run operator and park on his QRG
and listen. You will be surprised what you can learn. How they
handle different situations etc. You can pick up some good ideas and
techniques. Listen to the OP's that win!
Remember we talked about balance? Now you
have to balance Run vs S&P too. You need both to maximize your
score. It just takes practice! There is much more to talk
about. Maybe you have enough now to take the jump and try
it? I encourage questions on the reflector. The SECC has
many talented people with much more experience than I do. So
don't be afraid to ask questions.
I know many of you are SSB Op's so
unfortunately this may not be much help for you. I have
very little SSB experience so I can't offer much advice on this
subject. Again, don't be afraid to ask questions. We
have members here with world class
experience.
Have fun and good luck!
73, Ralph K1ZZI
(In case you missed Part
I)
Part I - Run or
S&P Mode for new contesters?
S&P - That's called Search and Pounce
and the most common mode for new contesters and returning
contesters as well. You get to pick and choose and move at your own
pace. You are still trying to figure this
whole contesting thing out. It can be intimidating
when you come across an OP running fast (QRQ). It's hard to
copy the exchange info. You can just move on down the band or you
might what to hang out a while and figure this guy
out. It might take two, three or even four exchanges but
you will get it because you are challenged and
determined!
Sometimes you hear numbers or an exchange
that just don't make sense no matter how many times you hear
it. The OP is probably using "cut numbers". To make
matters worse these OP's usually come at you FAST and it can leave you
scratching your head! These are the ones you are afraid to ask for a
repeat at the risk of sounding stupid. So you hang out and
listen for another 5 minutes and you still can't get it. Everyone
else seems to copy okay but you are stumped? Be familiar with cut
numbers and remember these:
1 = A
5 = E
9 = N
0 = T
The only cut number I recommend using right away
is N for 9 but only for RST. In a contest 599 takes forever to get two 9's
out. We already know the number so use 5NN and shorten it
up. ENN (599) sounds cool in a fast exchange but I don't
recommend using it starting out. Zero is the longest and
most troublesome number. Hey be sure to copy that
5th dash! ...or was that an 8
or 9? The easiest number to
copy is #1. If you only copy A, W or
J then you know it's a 1.
Be careful using T for zero. The only time
I consider using T is in between other numbers
and still I rarely use it. Like 501 1003 (5T1
1TT3). A much higher chance for errors and repeats using T on
the end of numbers.
Speaking of repeats. A little off topic
but something to consider when you are asked to "repeat". If
your CW speed is close to the Run station, repeat your exchange at the same
speed again. The reason he asked for a repeat was because he didn't
hear what you said. It was not because he can't
copy at your speed! DON'T slow down and repeat @ 10 WPM.
Chances are you just made the problem 10X worse and got another AGN
request. Here's why... and it happens a lot on the low bands
in noise and static crash conditions. Slowing
down dramatically increases the possibility of the next static crash
hitting right in the middle resulting in another AGN request. Often times
speeding up is exactly the best solution for getting thru just before the
next crash!
Once you feel comfortable doing S&P
and built up some confidence, it's time to think about
trying the dreaded and most feared mode of all. "Run Mode".
After all you are a contester and you like the
competition? Time to get your score up. You can do
it!
Run Mode for beginners part II later. I
have to take a break.
Ralph
K1ZZI