In a message dated 12/6/2011 5:24:22 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, k4bai@att.net writes:

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.
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