[TowerTalk] Participating in a contest for the sake of dx?

[Gary K9GS]

Note sure of your name or call.  My replies below.

On 2/9/2016 6:55 PM, dw wrote:
> I have heard DX mentors suggest that contests are high potential events
> for snagging some dx that wouldn't otherwise be so readily available.

All of the major DX contests have rare DX operations that may only be 
available for the contest.

See: http://www.ng3k.com/Contest/index.html


>
> But I'm not sure how the contest people would feel about that?

Trust me..contest ops WELCOME your QSOs.  There is nothing worse than 
running out of guys to work.  The one caveat I would mention is that you 
should be familiar with the rules and make sure that you're giving the 
contest op a valid contact and one that counts for points.  For example, 
if you're in the CQWW DX contest, and you live in the US, don't call 
other stations in the US.  In CQWW, US to US contacts are worth zero 
points.  Also, if the contest requires you exchange, for example, your 
CQ Zone, don't give your ITU zone or your state :)

An excellent resource, when you turn on your radio and wonder, "what 
contest is this and what are the rules" is:

http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/weeklycont.php 
<http://www.hornucopia.com/contestcal/weeklycont.php>

Also, contesting.com is an excellent resource (and they host this 
reflector :)  ) http://www.contesting.com/



>
> If ham-1 (a contest ham who will be submitting his log) makes a contact
> with ham-2
> (a dx chaser who won't be submitting his log) does the absence of
> ham-2's log
> disqualify ham-1's contact with ham-2, resulting in lowering his score?

Most contests allow QSOs with "uniques".  Uniques being QSOs that only 
appear once in one person's log.  Also, if you don't send in a log, most 
contest do not penalize the contest op.
>
> If it works that way, I would anticipate the serious contest hams would
> be a little miffed
> at people who use the occasion to simply add contacts to their personal
> log book.
>
> But perhaps I'm mistaken?
>

I hope to hear you in the next contest.  Jump in with both feet and have 
fun!

> -- 
> 73,
>
> Gary K9GS
>
> Greater Milwaukee DX Association: http://www.gmdxa.org
> Society of Midwest Contesters: http://www.w9smc.com
> CW Ops #1032   http://www.cwops.org
>
> ************************************************