[UK-CONTEST] Split Frequency in Contests?

[Dave Sergeant]

On 26 Nov 2002 at 16:00, Jim Martin wrote:

> I think for the first time last weekend I heard contest stations working
> split. They were not exactly exotic or rare prefixes so why the split
> operation? 

I did not actually hear any split mode operation myself, but as a 
'little pistol' (5W) I certainly managed to work a fair number of the 
big pile ups with no real problems. The operators at HC8N in 
particular were brilliant, and would persist trying to get my call 
until they knew it was correct. Unlike some with obviously slow 
changeover who kept copying me as N3YMC and asked for a repeat of the 
zone when I sent 14 - 'OK, tnx 05, QRZ...'.

In normal DX operations split frequency is more to the advantage of 
the callers, to enable them to copy the dx through the melee. A good 
DX operator can work on CW with a split of 1kHz and very little 
spread. The poorer operators spread over a much wider range with 
little advantage - especially when skip is such that those calling 
cannot hear the rest of the pile up so they are literally calling 
blind. I find with my 5W I can break most of the split pileups, but 
some are far easier than others.

In big contests split frequency operation involving a large split is 
obviously anti social, and in any case the pile ups tend to be 
smaller because the band activity is spread. Most operations worked 
quite well without needing to use it.

73s Dave G3YMC

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