“Whiskey Nine Japan Japan” (W9JJ answers, using phonetics) “CQ contest, CQ contest from W1AW, Whiskey One Alfa Whiskey. Even if your signal is weak, CQing stations will make special efforts to pick you out of the noise because they need the points your contacts will give them.Ī typical SSB contest contact between a running station (W1AW) and an operator responding (search and pouncing or S&P) to the CQ (W9JJ) sounds like this: If you practice your S&P technique, you can work stations quickly. Just like the term implies, this involves tuning through the band, looking for running stations and contacting any you can find. On the other hand, you might want to consider searching and pouncing, or S&P. Smaller stations should try running whenever conditions are good and a frequency without too much QRM can be found – try it! Running is an effective contest strategy, especially if your station has a big signal that many can hear. “Running” means finding a clear frequency and calling “CQ contest” for long periods of time, logging everyone who answers.
#Macloggerdx contests software
Some of the popular contest logging software packages include: If you log on paper, you’ll also need to send in a summary sheet that includes your information, some information about your station, and your entry category. The contest sponsors supply a website for uploading your log or e-mail addresses to which you send your log. If that station is a duplicate, you’ll know right away.Ĭontest software also makes it easy to submit your log after the contest is over. If you hear someone calling “CQ Contest” and you type their call sign into the call entry window, the software will instantly check for any other previous or “dupe” contacts. Score = zero! This contact is a duplicate of the previous 40-meter contact at 0100.Ĭontest software will alert you to possible duplicate contats before you waste time making the contact. WB8IMY contacts K1RO on 40 meters at 0530 UTC. WB8IMY contacts K1RO on 20 meters at 0300 UTC. WB8IMY contacts K1RO on 40 meters at 0100 UTC. Depending on the rules of the contest, you may only be allowed to contact a particular station once on a given band: Your computer will also help you avoid duplicate contacts. The computer keeps track of the time, score and much more. Most contesters, however, do their logging by computer. You can keep a contest log on paper and submit the paper log at the end of the competition. (Even if you weren’t serious about competing, please do send in your log since that helps the sponsors check all of the contest QSOs and they like to know you were active in their event!) Your log is your contest entry without it, your score won’t be considered. The Federal Communications Commission does not require hams to keep station logs with records of every contact, but contest sponsors do. You’ll learn the basics along with tips and insights to help you get more out of every contact. Would you like to know more about contesting? Read world-class contester Doug Grant, K1DG’s ARRL book “Contesting for Beginners” written with the new contester in mind.
#Macloggerdx contests update
The ARRL also offers an e-mail newsletter called the Contest Update and a bimonthly digital magazine, National Contest Journal (NCJ) that are both free to ARRL members. In every issue you’ll find “Contest Corral,” a comprehensive list of upcoming contests. The best way to keep track of contest activity is through QST magazine each month.
There are also contests on the VHF, UHF and microwave bands. Contest sponsors have agreed to keep the 60, 30, 17 and 12-meter bands off limits from competitive events. Other contests are smaller with only limited participation.Ĭontests take place on both the HF and VHF/UHF/microwave bands. Some competitions, such as the ARRL Sweepstakes, draw large numbers of hams onto the airwaves. You may have to choose a “category” of operation such as a single operator using low power. Only certain operating configurations can be used.
#Macloggerdx contests serial
You may be required to send and receive a serial number, location, name or even a person’s age. Some contests also require “off times” when you are required to take a break from operating.Īn exchange of information is necessary during each contact. The contest only takes places between certain times and on certain dates. The goal of Amateur Radio contesting is to contact as many stations as possible during the contest period.