KB6NU's Ham Radio Blog

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How to run a multi-station special event

Posted: 12 Dec 2020 08:33 AM PST
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/kb6nu...m_medium=email


Heres a guest post from Dr. Michael K. Gauthier, K6ICS. I like operating
special event stations, both as an activator and as a chaser. I hope you
find these tips useful.Dan


It’s always fun to work a special event where there is more than one call
sign or, the same call sign on several bands, required to receive an award.
For the award seeker, this brings out the excitement of the chase.Â* But
many times, this excitement turns to frustration and disgust when it is
found that all the required contacts are not reasonably available or even
worse, they are not even on the air.Â* Having been a ham since 1954, I have
participated in many special events as both the award seeker and as the
event operator.Â* I have seen these problems too many times. Fighting
unexpected mishaps, band conditions, QSB, QRN, and QRM is normal.Â* Not
having the special event stations working at their best is tragic.
The Problem

As an example of the problem, there are 5 stations to contact, over a
10-day period.Â* You have worked 3 and realize that the other 2 you have not
heard.Â* Checking DX Summit and other spotting web sites you find that the
4th station you need has been on 160 meter SSB and 80 meter FT8 for about 4
hours over the past 4-days.Â* When you check out the 5th station, you find
no record of them even being on the air.

RATS! That makes you feel good. What a waste of time.
Pre-Event Analysis

Do you have an event e-mail contact? Review e-mails several times a day,
minimum.
Do you have a website?Â* Does it contain ALL special event information?
Review the rules and regulations of your event and award(s).
What is the time period over which the special event will take place? Â*Does
it conflict with other events?
Planning the bands, modes, and times which will be best for the maximum
number of contestants.
When event stations operators can only operate limited times or bands. Add
additional station(s) to cover open bands, modes, and times.
Do you have backup operators?
Emergencies: Power failures, equipment failures, operator illness, and
other problems.
After the event starts you need to fine tune your analysis, based on
current operating conditions.
Post-event QSLs and Award Certificates.Â* Logging and reporting contacts.Â*
QSLs, Awards processing, and Delivery. ““Not in Log� and other problems.

Recommendations

Use the “most active� bands: 80 Night, 40 Night/Day, 20 Day. Other bands as
open.
Multiple stations using the same call on different bands and modes, at the
same time.
Use all bands/modes, unless it is a single band/mode event.
Publish typical operating schedule so the stations can be more easily found.
Suggest award seekers list contacts on DX Summit and other spotting sites.
Process all QSLs and award certificates rapidly.
KISS – Keep it Simple Stupid.

Notes

Be aware of band limits for all operators. Novices and Technicians are
limited to CW only on a portion of 80, 40, and 15 meters. On 10 meters they
do have CW, Digital, and SSB, but only a small portion of the band. General
and Advanced classes have their own operating limits. Other countries have
their own band limits.

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