Part
II - Run Mode for New or Casual 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 in charge. You control
the wheel and speed. Not too fast your first time
out. You are unsure what to expect when stations 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 or so. In S&P you can keep your
filter much tighter but in Run you want your filter wider because
people will call off
frequency. You will miss callers if it's too
narrow. Turn on your RX RIT. Swing your RIT quickly
listening. You heard a call off frequency and you're not sure he
was calling you? Send ? or AGN and listen. Do not
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 but our exchange goes like this:
K1ZZI: W4BQF RALPH GA - W4BQF: TU TOM GA (TOM now pauses to
hear my ack) K1ZZI: TU K1ZZI - Now I'm listening for the next
caller. Oops 2 people called me at the same time and I missed
everything... K1ZZI: ? Now I only pulled out a VE3
prefix so I'm sticking with him - K1ZZI: VE3? I pickup the call
and do the exchange. Hopefully the 2nd station waited
around 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. If you can't copy 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 now you have enough courage 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. For me, I still like listening to the OP's that
win. You can learn a lot! Again, don't be afraid to ask
questions. We have members here with world class skills and
experience.
Now watch your score improve. Have fun
and good luck!
73, Ralph
K1ZZI