[WWYC] sprint notes

[Timo Klimoff]

Well, some notes to Zoli The First Timer's comments ...
I have operated in 14 sprints and won 2 (5 podium places) so I think I've
done something sometimes right :)

> I programmed F2 as <call> # zoli on/ha1ag and F3 as <call> on/ha1ag #
zoli.
> Used F2 when answered cq's and F3 when got called on CQ. The idea was from
> Bill Fisher suggesting that the guy coming to the freq will hear my call
and
> will know that I will be the one to be called.  It did not work here
either!
> Most stations simply got confused when got the nr where they expected to
> hear my call. I heard only G4BUE to do the same. Noticeably top sprinters
> like DL6RAI used even the DE between the calls. I never heard anyone
asking
> Ben for a fill. hmmm.

I ALWAYS send like Zoli did (+DE).
When CQing: HA1AG DE OH1NOA 004 TIMO
When answering to one's CQ: HA1AG 004 TIMO DE OH1NOA
.. but use all the zeros! and DE! It is just stupidity that this way of
sending exc. is not adopted more.
(Sometimes I even give my name twice!)

>
> I thought that sprint will be a contest with speedy CW and set my speeds
> accordingly. On 20m where everyone closer than UR, ES, LY, SV, UA was esp
or
> some strange scatter QRS it was obvious but even on 40 and 80m I often had
> to go below 30 wpm. That was a lowlight.
>

I use more less normal domestic contest CW speed = speed where I know that
another station logs my exchange correctly.

> I don't know (but would like to) know how others play this game. I noticed
a
> few guys even with big numbers just jumping between two freqs and work the
> guys by one on cq. I always tried to work two guys on a freq and keep the
> vfo on the freq after the 2nd qso to see if the guy who called the guy
whom
> I left the freq would be a new one. and got back the same freq. I changed
> bands down early and then it seemed to pay off.

In the early stage of starting on new band this is the best tactic. But not
the only tactic for victory. If nobody is answering spin your VFO.

> IMO, this contest requires as much antenna planning as any dx contest. I
> knew the 3 el 40m yagi at 26m fixed to NE would not be ideal but where
most
> guys are +20, S9 was not enough despite the HP. Next time I would be
better
> off with an other low dipole. The Yagi worked vy fb though, E21EIC called
me
> on 40 (with 002!) but I4's were tough to get. Doing this contest from HA
20m
> would be even more tough.
>

Well, I have been using 3 over 2 elements for 40m :)

> This time I did 1 radio but I see room for SO2R. I think the Sprint is not
> really for the ptt-controlled audio switch but more for the constant audio
> splitup. I'm very curious to know how SO2Rers do their magic in Sprint.

I have never operated SO2R in Sprint yet. I see some advantage when 20m is
drying out and some stations are moving to 40m. But those huge number of
band changes like in NA are just not for EU Sprint yet ... and I don't
believe that they will in the near future.

73, Timo OH1NOA (OH1F in sprints)
PS: I wasn't QRV in these sprints ... my reason was just a lack of
motivation