[VHFcontesting] VHF contest tips, tricks, and techniques

[Curtis Roseman]

This is not a new secret to success, but some who are new to VHF contesting may not realize how important cw is to success in VHF contests, especially for those of us in more remote locations and/or running low power or QRP.  Like Zack, I run QRP in most contests and I am not located in a densely populated area.  CW is especially important on UHF and higher frequency bands, but is it is also quite important on 6 meters.  In most contests a lot of cw can be found just below 50.100.  Really big guns can probably get by without going down there (although many of them do), but little guns like me depend on making cw Qs on 6.  And, I too sometimes call big guns on cw [on any VHF/UHF band] when they are running SSB, and especially when they are not too strong.  Most of the good operators come back.  And by the way, if you want to work DX on 6 meters, you will miss a lot by not using cw. 

I am not a cw snob.  It is ok with me to have many licensed hams who do not know or use cw--in particular because many of them have much greater expertise than I in other areas of ham radio.  But if you want real success in VHF contesting, cw is a necessity. 

Curt Roseman  k9aks
Living in EN41, but operating also from many isolated locations

________________________________________
From: VHFcontesting <vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Zack Widup <w9sz.zack at gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2014 11:53 AM
To: VHF Contesting Reflector
Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] VHF contest tips, tricks, and techniques

I've found through years of experience as a Single-Op (QRP) Portable that
if you are running 10 watts or less, or if you do not have the best
antennas, calling CQ in CW will allow you to be heard by more distant
stations. Also, answering an SSB station in CW if he doesn't hear you on
SSB or can't quite copy you is often successful. In most VHF contests it's
OK to do cross-mode QSO's. And of course, call CQ for a bit pointed in one
direction, then nudge your beam 30 or 45 degrees and call some more,
keeping at it while covering all areas of the compass.

73, Zack W9SZ


>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: VHFcontesting [mailto:vhfcontesting-bounces at contesting.com] On
> Behalf
> Of Chet S
> Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2014 8:31 PM
> To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] VHF contest tips, tricks, and techniques
>
> OK, now that we had the annual blow off of steam about the rules, anyone
> have any "secrets" they wish to share about VHF CONTESTING??
>
> I'll start.
>
> I operate in the low power category. I have two 6M antennas that are
> connected to an A/B/Both switch. When calling CQ, I usually use both so as
> to illuminate more azimuth; which is important for a CONTEST. Then I'll
> switch the switch to hear and  favor a weak answer. But if conditions are
> highly favoring one direction, say, SW, I will put all the power that way
> during CQing for a while.
>
> 73
> Chet, N8RA
>
>
>
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