[VHFcontesting] Why not ask?

Tue Aug 6 12:11:33 EDT 2019

I agree that everyone should ask if there are any more on frequency before running the bands, but it is easy to slip up and forget. I am a rover, and running the bands is the best (only?) way to  get a good score. Setting up a station to run the bands fast helps this, and sometimes one gets carried away with running the bands fast and forgets to ask if anyone else is on frequency. I have tried to emphasize this part of my operating habit since it was pointed out to me that I do not always do this, and am, improving, but I still occasionally drop the ball. So, one thing to do is point out to the guy who QSYes too fast that he missed a QSO with a rare grid and could he take some care in listening for you in the future.

A second thing that can be done, and some locals do it to good success here, is to listen to the stations find out where they are going to QSY to, beat them to that frequency and call them when they QSY. CW also helps in getting their attention.

Assistance also helps, just send the guy a text that you can hear him and ask him to point your way.

My problem is with the guy, usually local or within good tropo range with a strong signal that when  asked to run the bands during a 6M opening will refuse to do so because the rate on 6M will drop, even though if you are both setup to run fast he can probably increase his score more by running the bands and getting the added mults and QSO points of greater value, than by staying on 6M and running rate. But I digress. 

On the subject of running the bands, when contacted on 6M, many ops will say, when asked, that they don’t have other bands, thinking you are only interested in weak signal modes, but often have FM capability on 2M and 70cm. It pays to push those guys to see if they have FM on those bands, and if so, be setup on FM to work those guys. - Duffey KK6MC

James Duffey KK6MC
Cedar Crest NM

> On Aug 6, 2019, at 09:04, vhfcontesting-request at contesting.com wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. Re: Why not ask? (Sean Waite)
>   2. Re: Why not ask? (Mark Spencer)
>   3. Re: Why not ask? (N1BUG)
>   4. Re: Why not ask? (mikflathead at aol.com)
>   5. Fw: 902 Motorola amp FS (Herb Krumich)
>   6. ARRL 222 & Up results (Ron Klimas WZ1V)
> 
> 
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> 
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2019 14:56:05 -0400
> From: Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com>
> To: Joe N2TEE <n2tee73 at yahoo.com>
> Cc: VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Why not ask?
> Message-ID:
>    <CAGz_XJyuMvpUjR3_ZFuixfzHbtKTt3NanY3wTPXj25PyLuU64Q at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
> 
> I try to remember to do this. Frankly...in the heat of the moment I forget
> many times. It's something I need to work on.
> 
> 73,
> Sean WA1TE
> 
> On Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 2:45 PM Joe N2TEE via VHFcontesting <
> vhfcontesting at contesting.com> wrote:
> 
>> Band running dichotomy of following the stations elsewhere rather than
>> staying on one's current band can be a knotty choice.?? If the primary
>> station is exceptionally strong, I move up the band with them.?? Just
>> tail-end or throw your call ONCE between gaps in speech just so they
>> know you're there.?? If you are fortunate, both stations may hear you.??
>> Stay put on the new frequency and let the primary station finish running
>> with the other station.?? If you're lucky, the station may come back and
>> work the bands with you as well.?? This isn't much of a risk if the lower
>> band isn't all that hot to begin with.?? More points for the higher bands
>> drives this behavior.?? I can't eschew this behavior since it makes the
>> most sense for maximizing scores.
>> 
>> I am not a competitive player and support the cause of keeping the
>> VHF/UHF busy.?? So this heavily influences my comments above. Others may
>> feel differently when they have more skin in the game. Enjoy your time
>> behind the radio and have fun.
>> 
>> Joe N2TEE
>> 
>>> On 8/3/19 5:05 PM, Alex wrote:
>>> I'm a bit puzzled why folks don't ask if anyone else is on frequency
>>> before moving on to the next band? I find myself missing out of a
>>> bunch of contacts with folks I know I can easily work simply because
>>> people are in a such hurry to switch bands. Perhaps I misunderstood
>>> the rules of this 222 and up contest and you get a multiplier for the
>>> speed at which you run the bands with someone. After all, I'm a newbie
>>> at all of this. :)
>>> 
>>> 73,
>>> --Alex KR1ST (FN21FK)
>>> 
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> VHFcontesting mailing list
>>> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>> _______________________________________________
>> VHFcontesting mailing list
>> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2019 12:21:10 -0700
> From: Mark Spencer <mark at alignedsolutions.com>
> To: Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com>
> Cc: Joe N2TEE <n2tee73 at yahoo.com>,    VHF Contesting
>    <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Why not ask?
> Message-ID:
>    <9CBAEF02-719F-4607-8E17-E7A30F5A0BEC at alignedsolutions.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain;    charset=us-ascii
> 
> Over the last five years or so that I have been moderately seriously engaging in VHF and up contesting I have yet to decide on a single approach to "running the bands" or not.     I usually don't "run the bands" unless the other station asks me to but if I know the other station has a good signal on other (usually higher) bands I may ask them to "run the bands."
> 
> Sometimes I will work several stations on 50 or 144 MHz, then I will announce I am going to a higher band and qsy.  A lot depends on my subjective assessment of the signal levels on the lower bands and what I expect the signal levels on the higher bands might be.   In practice I find the signals are often weaker on the higher bands than I am expecting them to be.  At this point my approach is probably more based on intuition than anything else (:
> 
> 73
> 
> Mark S
> VE7AFZ
> 
> mark at alignedsolutions.com
> 604 762 4099
> 
>> On Aug 5, 2019, at 11:56 AM, Sean Waite <waisean at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> I try to remember to do this. Frankly...in the heat of the moment I forget
>> many times. It's something I need to work on.
>> 
>> 73,
>> Sean WA1TE
>> 
>> On Mon, Aug 5, 2019 at 2:45 PM Joe N2TEE via VHFcontesting <
>> vhfcontesting at contesting.com> wrote:
>> 
>>> Band running dichotomy of following the stations elsewhere rather than
>>> staying on one's current band can be a knotty choice.?? If the primary
>>> station is exceptionally strong, I move up the band with them.?? Just
>>> tail-end or throw your call ONCE between gaps in speech just so they
>>> know you're there.?? If you are fortunate, both stations may hear you.??
>>> Stay put on the new frequency and let the primary station finish running
>>> with the other station.?? If you're lucky, the station may come back and
>>> work the bands with you as well.?? This isn't much of a risk if the lower
>>> band isn't all that hot to begin with.?? More points for the higher bands
>>> drives this behavior.?? I can't eschew this behavior since it makes the
>>> most sense for maximizing scores.
>>> 
>>> I am not a competitive player and support the cause of keeping the
>>> VHF/UHF busy.?? So this heavily influences my comments above. Others may
>>> feel differently when they have more skin in the game. Enjoy your time
>>> behind the radio and have fun.
>>> 
>>> Joe N2TEE
>>> 
>>>> On 8/3/19 5:05 PM, Alex wrote:
>>>> I'm a bit puzzled why folks don't ask if anyone else is on frequency
>>>> before moving on to the next band? I find myself missing out of a
>>>> bunch of contacts with folks I know I can easily work simply because
>>>> people are in a such hurry to switch bands. Perhaps I misunderstood
>>>> the rules of this 222 and up contest and you get a multiplier for the
>>>> speed at which you run the bands with someone. After all, I'm a newbie
>>>> at all of this. :)
>>>> 
>>>> 73,
>>>> --Alex KR1ST (FN21FK)
>>>> 
>>>> 
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> VHFcontesting mailing list
>>>> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
>>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> VHFcontesting mailing list
>>> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
>>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
>> _______________________________________________
>> VHFcontesting mailing list
>> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2019 15:28:17 -0400
> From: N1BUG <paul at n1bug.com>
> To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Why not ask?
> Message-ID: <a1e0ef73-b528-b2c0-9287-6ecc0a740528 at n1bug.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
> 
> I wasn't the original poster but since this is one of my major
> disappointments in contests, I will comment.
> 
>> If the primary 
>> station is exceptionally strong, I move up the band with them.??
> 
> Rarely the case here in FN55. Only a very few are strong enough to
> catch that way, and only if they are pointed right at me which is
> NOT most of the time.
> 
>> Just 
>> tail-end or throw your call ONCE between gaps in speech just so they 
>> know you're there.??
> 
> I try and try but this rarely works. Usually the station they are
> about to run bands with is 200 to 400 miles closer to them than I
> am. My S2 signal stands little chance of squeezing in between the
> rapid overs when the other guy is probably over S9 (the latter a
> wild guess on my part, all I know is I cannot squeeze in between and
> be heard).
> 
>> If you are fortunate, both stations may hear you.??
> 
> Nope. Well, rarely. Often I can only hear one of them.
> 
>> Stay put on the new frequency and let the primary station finish running 
>> with the other station.??
> 
> This rarely works. Either they don't come back, or they are pointed
> someplace else by the time they do, or conditions have changed.
> Being that I'm so far out of the major activity centers, it is my
> belief people don't stay pointed this way long.
> 
>> More points for the higher bands 
>> drives this behavior.?? I can't eschew this behavior since it makes the 
>> most sense for maximizing scores.
> 
> I can only guess that QSO rate is more valuable than a multiplier on
> a few bands. Or perhaps I'm not as alone here in FN55 as I think. I
> never hear anyone else on from this grid though, except a low power
> local on 6 and 2.
> 
> Every contest that I work I miss stations I could easily work on
> anywhere from one to four bands. The only time I hear them is when
> they are making arrangements to run bands with someone else, and I
> can find no strategy which allows me to grab them. Oh well. It's the
> nature of the game. I've known that for 35 years but when you
> struggle 30+ hours for 50 QSOs (that's with high power and long
> yagis at 100+ feet) it's discouraging to miss people you know you
> could work.
> 
> BTW: Rumors of my demise have been slightly exaggerated or at least
> are premature. ;) I'm alive, pushing myself to *just* under the
> breaking point on badly needed home improvement projects. At the end
> of this road the shack will be improved and I will have more time
> and energy for radio than ever before, but it's going to take some
> time to get there.
> 
> 73,
> Paul N1BUG FN55mf
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2019 21:33:09 +0000 (UTC)
> From: mikflathead at aol.com
> To: paul at n1bug.com, vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Why not ask?
> Message-ID: <727623282.1480251.1565040789227 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> This is why I like the sprints. Mike
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: N1BUG <paul at n1bug.com>
> To: vhfcontesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
> Sent: Mon, Aug 5, 2019 3:28 pm
> Subject: Re: [VHFcontesting] Why not ask?
> 
> I wasn't the original poster but since this is one of my major
> disappointments in contests, I will comment.
> 
>> If the primary 
>> station is exceptionally strong, I move up the band with them.??
> 
> Rarely the case here in FN55. Only a very few are strong enough to
> catch that way, and only if they are pointed right at me which is
> NOT most of the time.
> 
>> Just 
>> tail-end or throw your call ONCE between gaps in speech just so they 
>> know you're there.??
> 
> I try and try but this rarely works. Usually the station they are
> about to run bands with is 200 to 400 miles closer to them than I
> am. My S2 signal stands little chance of squeezing in between the
> rapid overs when the other guy is probably over S9 (the latter a
> wild guess on my part, all I know is I cannot squeeze in between and
> be heard).
> 
>> If you are fortunate, both stations may hear you.??
> 
> Nope. Well, rarely. Often I can only hear one of them.
> 
>> Stay put on the new frequency and let the primary station finish running 
>> with the other station.??
> 
> This rarely works. Either they don't come back, or they are pointed
> someplace else by the time they do, or conditions have changed.
> Being that I'm so far out of the major activity centers, it is my
> belief people don't stay pointed this way long.
> 
>> More points for the higher bands 
>> drives this behavior.?? I can't eschew this behavior since it makes the 
>> most sense for maximizing scores.
> 
> I can only guess that QSO rate is more valuable than a multiplier on
> a few bands. Or perhaps I'm not as alone here in FN55 as I think. I
> never hear anyone else on from this grid though, except a low power
> local on 6 and 2.
> 
> Every contest that I work I miss stations I could easily work on
> anywhere from one to four bands. The only time I hear them is when
> they are making arrangements to run bands with someone else, and I
> can find no strategy which allows me to grab them. Oh well. It's the
> nature of the game. I've known that for 35 years but when you
> struggle 30+ hours for 50 QSOs (that's with high power and long
> yagis at 100+ feet) it's discouraging to miss people you know you
> could work.
> 
> BTW: Rumors of my demise have been slightly exaggerated or at least
> are premature. ;) I'm alive, pushing myself to *just* under the
> breaking point on badly needed home improvement projects. At the end
> of this road the shack will be improved and I will have more time
> and energy for radio than ever before, but it's going to take some
> time to get there.
> 
> 73,
> Paul N1BUG FN55mf
> _______________________________________________
> VHFcontesting mailing list
> VHFcontesting at contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/vhfcontesting
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 5
> Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2019 01:03:21 +0000 (UTC)
> From: Herb Krumich <wa2fgk at yahoo.com>
> To: VHF Contesting <vhfcontesting at contesting.com>
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] Fw: 902 Motorola amp FS
> Message-ID: <1204849674.1488874.1565053401614 at mail.yahoo.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8
> 
> 
> 5 watts in and 300 output on this converted Motorola 902 ampIt was done by Steve at DEMILooking for 150.00 $Any interest, pix on request to my E mail pse73Herb K2LNSwa2fgk at yahoo.com
> 
> 
> ------------------------------
> 
> Message: 6
> Date: Tue, 06 Aug 2019 11:04:45 -0400
> From: "Ron Klimas WZ1V" <wz1v at sbcglobal.net>
> To: vhfcontesting at contesting.com
> Subject: [VHFcontesting] ARRL 222 & Up results
> Message-ID: <20190806.150445.621.1 at RON>
> Content-Type: text/plain
> 
> ARRL 222 MHz and Up Distance Contest - 2019
> 
> Call: WZ1V
> Operator(s): WZ1V
> Station: WZ1V
> Class: Single Op HP
> QTH: FN31RH
> Operating Time (hrs): 5
> 
> Summary:
> Band QSOs
> ------------
> 222: 29
> 432: 30
> 903: 
> 1.2: 10
> 2.3: 
> 3.4: 
> 5.7: 
> 10G: 
> 24G: 
> ------------
> Total: 69 Total Score = 28,550
> 
> Club: North East Weak Signal Group
> Team: 
> 
> Comments:
> Only operated short time but had lots of fun. 
> Best DX on 222 & 432 VE3ZV EN92 & VE3DS FN03, 
> and N1JEZ FN44 on 1296. Chat page was so busy 
> it kept scrolling off the screen. For a minute 
> I thought it was a texting contest HI. 
> -73 Ron WZ1V
> 
> Posted using 3830 Score Submittal Forms at: http://www.3830scores.com/
> 
> 
> ---
> This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
> https://www.avast.com/antivirus
> 
> 
> 
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