[UK-CONTEST] Operating a 24 hour contest and staying awake?

[Gerry Lynch]

24 hours is no especially big deal in a reasonable rate HF contest - the 
predawn 1-2 hours will be the toughest; on VHF the night shift can get 
VERY boring.  If it's a big contest, though, that can be a good time to 
look for some big point value QSOs into DL/OK/OE/why on CW - more 
activity on CW there than in the UK.  Wandering away from the rig for 
the odd 5 mins to pee/stretch/clear the head is less of an issue on VHF 
anyway.

If it were HF, I would say.

1. Get plenty of rest in the days beforehand (i.e. don't post to 
uk-contest at 1.30 am!)

2. Try and go for a good brisk walk/jog/cycle every day during the week 
beforehand - it does make a difference.

3. Drink lots and lots and lots and lots of water.  Especially if it's 
an SSB contest you'll need it.  Especially if you're in an environment 
where rig+amp+computer is generating lots of heat.

4. SSB is much more physically demanding for long operating periods than 
CW - use a DVK to minimise the strain.

5. Personally, I don't recommend sugary snacks except in the latter 
stages of the contest; you crash when the sugar rush ends.  Grapes are 
good.  Bananas are good.  Cut fruit salads are good - making your own is 
*way* cheaper than supermarket ones.

6. Redbull or Relentless can be a lifesaver in the last hours of the 
contest if things start seeming a bit strange.
  But I wouldn't touch them until the last 6-7 hours if you can avoid 
it.  1 can 6 hours from the end, another 3 hours from the end often does 
wonders for me.  But if you do drink an energy drink, drink water like 
crazy in an SSB contest because the sugar will gunk up your vocal 
chords.  So does tea or coffee with milk.

7. If it's a really serious HF SSB contest entry, think about how you're 
going to relieve yourself.  24 hours without number two-sies is 
manageable, but if you don't have a toilet very close to your operating 
station, think of something you can pee into at the operating desk 
without making a mess.  One litre milk jugs have plenty of carrying 
capacity and a nice wide entry - have a few empties to hand.  You 
neither want to give up your dream frequency in the middle of a 250/hour 
run nor do you want to be operating at less than peak performance 
because you're in cramp!


73

Gerry GI0RTN