Hi Guys,
Well, I think that they are no secret ito have about contesting skill, (secret
are generally not avowable/illegal practices...). I/we are not magiciens, all
what we know comes from top contesters articles, swap, manuals and so on. So
the best is to exchange our experience.
So if I've only few things to say (for the less experienced RTTY contest
operators), it will be :
Have a look here :
https://www.contestuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/W0YK_CTU_2017_RTTY_Contesting_A_to_Z.ppt
https://www.contestuniversity.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/W0YK_CTU_2017_Advanced_Topics_in_RTTY_Contesting.ppt
A top contester knows/will explain things much better than me ;-)
I will add :
- Take care on your macros (should be generally as short as possible)
especially with the CQ as it must be clearly identified by the RBN servers
(something like "CQ TM3Z TM3Z CQ"). Ban "DE" "UR" "BK" "-" "CFM" "TNX" and so
on. How can I be able to send my CQ, listen 2 seconds, CQ again (all that on
radio2) while an OM is sending his report to me on radio1 and I'm still in the
good timing to send him my reply.... 😨😨😨😤
If some of you are interested (to compare or to give me others ideas), I can
send my macros here.
- when you run, do it intensively !!! You know how it's quick to skip 300 hz
with a VFO and somebody who's doing S&P must find you so do quite short break
between CQ. Yes, Dieter, the AL80B don't like that... Put additionnal fans,
even on the tranceiver (remove the top lid and blow on the radiator).
When I'm SO2R, doing dual CQ, I have to wait the end of my CQ on R1 to CQ on
R2. It takes around 3.8 seconds (never measured but it should be around that)
and if during that time I've no answer --> I find this "listening sequence"
really too long but I can't do otherwise (deleting my fisrt word CQ in the
macro could be ok but it will reduce too much this sequence to be in a good
timing with all the others and with most of the answers) but my opinion is that
a space around 3 seconds between CQ is perfect for SO1R (you will say "you're
quibbling"' NO it's a contest ! How many CQ will be sent x 0.8 seconds saved at
each time ?...)
By the way, S&P can be really more efficient than CQing even at High power
(specially during the fisrt 2 hours).
- schedule a band plan (when I will be here or there), adopt a strategy. Plan
your rest time. Rest up the few days before contest such as CQWW (when it's
possible...).
- when public logs are available online, look what made the top scorers (i.e
what choices they made to do better than me). Compare that in the same area.
Look also MS or MM top scores in your area (to learn about the propagation/band
changes and so on).
- read contest rules carrefully, (e.g CQWPX = double points on low bands) and
adapt your strategy (e.g SO2R must, may be, have a radio on 40m 20 hours a day
in that part of the solar cycle or SO1R will have to prefer a rate of 45QSO/h
on 40m with only EU than 60/h on 20m with half of DX.... above all for the
CQWPX RTTY !!!)
- read the manuals !!! You will find interestings/surprising functions. You
can't remember all but you will know that it exists and if you need it one day
you will know approximatly where to find it. Pay attention on filters/noise
cancellers/quick memories for the tranceiver (especially on the newers) and
also for the logger (what available functions there are for each windows, what
can I program ?). It can makes contest life easier in an unexpected way !
Insignificant things during 40 hours are tiresome !!!!
- if you are assisted using the ReverseBeaconNetwork, check the callsigns by
yourself when you're on the spot. It will decrease your errors rate (note that
there are now filters to allow only callsigns reported several times). Also
take care on the CPU load if you're using an old PC, RBN generate a continous
flow of spots on contest like CQs so don't allows "save spots" !
Reduces the spots timeout (10-12 mn will be ok).
- and finally, practice, practice, practice. You will be able to remember you
many of the usual constester's callsigns so if conditions are bads
(propagation, noise) you will correct by yourself the decoding errors (and will
win an "AGN ?"), e.g if I receive very weak or under high noise/splattering,
with errors in the decoding weft, something like JK4OER, I will enter manually
JR4OZR and it will be that 100% of the time and it works with less common
callsigns.
Sorry for the long mail, I hope that it's not too boring and not too snooty.
It's just to share my experience. May be that it can help some of you. Because
I do not know everything and that I still learn at every contest, I'm
interested in tips ;-)
73 de Dimitri F4DSK
Envoyé depuis mon appareil mobile Samsung.