What not to do in a contest

What not to do in a contestTrent Sampson WIA Director for Awards and Contests

11#1 Dont read the rulesContest managers change rules regularlyObtain extra info on how to read themTalk to contestersVKCC Forum is one of the bestWatch out for the jargon

2JargonSO2RSingle Operator Two RadioMulti OpMultiple Operators SOABSingle Operator All BandMultMultiplierDupeDuplicate ContactRateContacts over a period3Rules Change example2011CQ WPXMulti Single was one transmitterHowever one other transmitter could be used on another band if the contact(s) was with a new multiplier 2012 CQ WPXMulti Single is one transmitterNo other transmitters can be used.Seen as a dumbing down by many

4WPX Changes No longer a need for better technology Filtering ,TX lockouts not neededMakes the contest purely a rate chaseSwitch to the band with the highest rates into stronger areas and continue to build multipliersConcentrate USA JA fast ops lots of multipliers5Multipliers How they work QSOBand Band PointsMultiplierQXBPXM5080320300010040220400025020120500025015220100002501032015000370006#2 Only have one antenna optionLess confusing Easier to workout band changesSaves mucking around working lots of stationsKeeps everything under control 7Terrain Analysis

Note: low take off angles missed by Red Curve

8Simple VK Contest Weapon Thinking 80M How do you cover all of VK ?How do you do it consistently ?Is there a better way ? Where is the best location ?

9Coax Phasing Network Simple to buildCoax Switch3 Coax Tees2 X wavelength 70 ohm1 X wavelength 50 ohmTransmitter always sees 50 ohms with 1 or both antennasSingle band only

More details at www.w9xt.com

10Normally used to stack mono-band Yagis. L1, L2 must be same lengthCan be used with different antenna types, L1, L2 any length10Phasing Network

11Two special cases are at work here. A feed line will convert an open circuit on one end to a short circuit at the other. The inverse is true, and a short circuit on one end will appear as an open circuit at the other end. The other special case is that a 70 coax will transform 50 on one end to 100 on the other.Looking at the diagram, the switch is in the center position. In this position, both antennas will be connected. Antenna 1 will present a 50 load at Tee connector A. The 70 coax between connectors A and B will transform the 50 to 100 at connector B. Similarly, the impedance from Antenna 2 will also appear as 100 at connector B. The two 100 impedances in parallel form 50 which is preserved through the 50 coax back to the switch and to the transmitter

12VK Contests v International VK Tend not to use multipliersSlower paced ease intoBand changes niceCasual exchange gday Fred morning RalphRepeat contacts allowed

OthersMultipliersFace paced, expect pileupsBand changes criticalExchange brief Report and goNo repeat contacts

13VK4SN and VK4NDX

14SoftwareWritelog CW Decoder ,SSB,CW,RTTYN1MM-SSB,CW,RTTY Does VK (VK4SN)Win Test QSY Wizard superVKCL VK Contests very well Keyer optionsRTTY (different strokes) MMTTY RTTY

15Simple Interfaces

RS232 DTR or RTS Lines, Audio in out, PTT Jaycar Microphone preamp kit to suit Heil 16Complicated Interfaces

17MK2R+

18Go Portable VK4NM@StGeorge QLD

19VK4TS 15M Yagi

20VK4UC

2 element Force 12 40M Beam 6M length Chromolly C31XR Tri-bander, Rippletech Sloper for 160/80

John VK4UC Heil Headset Micro-ham interface,K3, K500 Amp, Win-test, Six Pack21#3 Operating Talk as fast as you canNever repeat your call-signCall every one over a wide spreadNever repeat your report for anyoneNever confirm the other call

22best of the best 480VP2EN5TJCQWWSSB2004 (qrate hour)update:2004-11-08480VP2KCJA3ODCCQWWSSB1979update:2010-04-20464VP2EN5TJCQWWSSB2003 (qrate hour)460WP3RK9PGARRLSSB 2003 (qrate hour)457P40LN5TJCQWWSSB 1993430ZF2MMK9PGARRLSSB 2002 (qrate hour)4228P1AW2SCCQWWSSB 2003 (clock hour)417PJ2TK1ARCQWWSSB 2003 (clock hour)409ZF2NTK9PGARRLSSB 2001 (qrate hour)394RC0FRC0FCQWWSSB 2011 (clock hour)update:2011-11-013938P8PNN1NCQWWSSB 2002 (qrate hour, 10m)update:2004-08-31392NP4AK5ZDCQWWSSB 1981 (qrate hour)

23K9PGgives his call-sign very regularlyConfirms the other callsIs very briefCan handle multiple callsDifferent for intra VK ContestsOnly in terms of not being brief

24#4 Setting upDisable ALCIncrease Processor to +40Warn the neighbours of severe solar electrical storm that will cause TV / stereo interferenceIncrease mike gain to the stopperSend family away for weekend

25Best Practices Read rules and under stand themAlign the rig and amps to manufacturer specsFind the best location Match antenna to locationUse Software for contestUse Voice Keyers or CW keyers to reduce tirednessUse a comfortable operating position26Join the VKCC (free)Come to the Dinner tonightEnjoy todayEnter the next contest

27QUESTIONS 28Thank you29