[UK-CONTEST] For GM4FDM

[Phil Cooper]

Hi Tom,

The WAEDC RTTY contest is probably one of my most favourite contests of the
year. Those QTC's sort "the men from the boys", but seriously, they are
quite easy to handle, and a very easy way to gain 10 points for almost no
effort.

I don't know if/how WinTest handles QTC's, but I guess it must do. You need
to find out which key-strokes bring up the QTC window, and there will
probably be seperate ones for sending and receiving.

First, make a contact with someone OUTSIDE Europe.
Ask if they want/need QTC, possibly as part of the exchange.
If YES, opt to send, as this is generally easier, but you will need to know
how to send a repeat of a specific line.

Do not try to exchange QTC's with that weak ZL or W7 on 80m! Wait for 20m to
open and send them later.
UA9's are often good on 80m, and if they are loud with you, opt to Rx them.
Same goes for W's on 40m. Wait till later and do it on 20m.

I usually try to build up around 100 EU contacts in the log on the lower
bands first, and then start on the QTC's, but this is more important if you
are going to send.

The QTC batch will be sent as a numbered bunch. You need to record the
number, and it will be something like 001/10, meaning the first batch of
QTC's, and comprising 10 lines.

If you get them all at once, great, just send TU QSL, or something similar.
If you need line 5, 6 and 8 again, ask for them one at a time. Just send 5 5
5 AGN, get that, and then send 6 6 6 AGN, and so on.
If it is all garbage, just ask for ALL AGN. This is OK, and it does happen
when some silly-billy decides to call YOU in the midst of the QTC's.

I have often worked stations that want QTC's, but are weak here, so I opt to
send, and if they are OK with that, fine!

Last year, my CQ buffer had QTC WELCOME in it, just for fun, but it helped!

And finally, don't forget that you can exchange QTC's with someone already
in the log, perhaps because conditions didn't allow it earlier. So, you
could possibly work a weak AA5AU at 1300UTC, and then hear him on the same
band later on. When he calls CQ, just send your call and ask for QTC's. You
will need his call in the call field, but it won't get logged as a dupe. And
you don't have to exchange all 10 in one go. You may opt to try 5 now, and 5
on another band later on. However, it is possibly best to stick with
exchanging 10 QTC's in one go, after the contest exchange.

Good luck, and have fun!

73 all

Phil GU0SUP


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