Topband: Patience in ARRL 160 Contest

[Richard (Rick) Karlquist]

> TX antenna, never gave me so much as a QRZ for the several dozen times I
> called, and had his auto CQ set for a very short recycle time.

One of the reasons why people do the short CQ recycle is to
be able to hold the frequency.  This morning a well known
op who should have known better sent "?", waited 500 ms,
and started CQ'ing on my frequency.  Leaving the frequency
"unattended" to listen to weak signals leaves the running
station open to this kind of thing.

Bottom line is that if you want to encourage QRP/weak DX, etc.
learn proper frequency etiquette.  QRL and LISTEN for at least 30 
seconds before firing up your CQ machine.

During the recent contest, in spite of running only 150W, I
had the usual ESP level callers.  Here is some advice for
those with weak signals from my perspective as a running
station:

1.  Call EXACTLY (within 50 Hz or better) on my frequency.
If you don't know how to do this, figure it out.  If you
are off frequency, I don't know if you are coming back to
me, or some other station CQ'ing on the east coast.
Also, I use a very narrow filter for weak signals.
(There is the counter argument of multiple stations at
zero beat, which is a problem if they are all weak.)

2.  Call at my code speed.  Not 10 WPM faster or slower as
I often get.  Turn down your keyer to QRS, rather than
sending at 35 WPM and spacing out the characters.

3.  Use a memory keyer with your call, 5NN, and section, so
that you don't make sending mistakes, or make me guess at
your bug or straight key fist.

3.  Send only 5NN <section>.  Do not send my call, BK, etc

4.  Respond with proper timing of about 1/2 second delay,
so I don't miss the first character.  The 1/2 second delay
is also necessary to make sure I have stopped sending.
However, don't wait more than a second.  Again, this is necessary to 
make sure you are calling me, not some other station on the same
frequency.  I always get some calls 3 seconds or more after my CQ.
Is he calling me?  Often, this is clue that I have company
on the frequency.

5.  QSB.  Often, a station will pop up out of the QSB briefly where
I can get his call, but then waste time (see above) and fall
back into the QSB before I can get his section.  Be aware of
this.

6.  Antenna:  if possible use a vertical, with top loading if
you can.  If you only have a dipole, operate it as a top loaded
vertical if possible.  Especially if the dipole is for some
other band or a so called G5RV.  I guarantee you will get
out better in most cases.

If you don't follow the suggestions above, I will still try to work you
if I can; we both need the points.  However, I do need to be
cognizant of holding the frequency.

Rick N6RK