Morse and Contests
 

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing
question, but is related by being a CW operating question.


With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 7:34 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing

question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do. In this regard, as in
any other pursuit in life, greater skill should be rewarded.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Not "more equal"...Just better compensation.

As a Nurse with my experience, credentials and skills, I expect to be
compensated accordiningly. So why not be "compensated" in a contest that
required using honed skills, too...?!?!

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

Shudda been on the paddles!

Seriously, though...Most contests differentiatemodes in awards...

Steve, K4YZ

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 7:34 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing


question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?


Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do. In this regard, as in
any other pursuit in life, greater skill should be rewarded.


True it does take some skill. But if we use Field day as an example,
there is so much else going on that I find it hard to make special
compensations for certain modes.

I would make an exception for "demonstration modes" such as the lesser
used modes such as sat ops, feld-hell, etc. I'd use these as multipliers
though.


While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?


Not "more equal"...Just better compensation.

As a Nurse with my experience, credentials and skills, I expect to be
compensated accordiningly. So why not be "compensated" in a contest that
required using honed skills, too...?!?!


Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.


And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?


We had a kid come on and operate psk31 almost immediately. It was
amazing. I had picked it up quickly, but I did some reading beforehand.
This young fellow was operating like a pro in no time. In fact, I'm
modifying the setup for next year to allow more of the PSK frequencies
for the GOTA. The kid was transfixed, and sat patiently working 14.070
until he had worked the band clean.


I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.


Shudda been on the paddles!

hehe

Seriously, though...Most contests differentiatemodes in awards...


Just seems like the ones I participate in give double for the CW. I'll
need to look some more.

- Mike KB3EIA -

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 1:22 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:

And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?

We had a kid come on and operate psk31 almost immediately...(SNIP)

That's my point! Almsot anyone can do it. So why give it par-level
scoring with Morse Code?

Just seems like the ones I participate in give double for the CW. I'll
need to look some more.

I am contemplating a trip to VO1 for Sweepstakes this year. I had hoped
to go last year but a family emergency canx'd that idea. Not sure if I will go
for CW or SSB weekend, tho...Can't swing both!

73

Steve, K4YZ

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"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:

Mike With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any
Mike reason to have contests give double the points for Morse code
Mike contacts?

How is the presence or absence of Morse code testing related to the
point multiplier for Morse code contacts? They're orthogonal, as far
as I can tell.

Mike While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does
Mike it make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than
Mike others?

Yes, in my humble opinion. It's harder (at least for me and many of
my ham friends) to make contacts via CW, so those should be worth more
points.

Mike Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth
Mike double points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the
Mike same double points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked
Mike up a fair number of points operating PSK31, and it was certainly
Mike no more difficult than operating Phone.

I don't operate PSK31, and I'm not that interested in trying at the
moment, so I can't say.

Mike I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked
Mike hard and logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op
Mike with little more than half that number.

And how hard did that CW op work?

Mike - Mike KB3EIA -

Jack.
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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Mike Coslo wrote:



Many if not most contests are mode specific. Like the "whatever CW
sprint" or
"North European SSB contest"..... Or RTTY events.

And how hard did that CW op work?



Well some of us here could do it while driving a bus. I wouldn't recomment
it, as if something happened that driver would be in deep do-do.....

"Robert Casey" wrote

Many if not most contests are mode specific. Like the
"whatever CW
sprint" or "North European SSB contest"..... Or RTTY events.

We allow 2 points for CW, 2 points for RTTY, and 1 point for
phone. See http://www.w0aa.org/mnqp/2004/mnqprule.html

73, de Hans, K0HB
--
SOC # 291 http://www.qsl.net/soc/
FISTS # 7419 http://www.fists.org
NCI # 4304 http://www.nocode.org/

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"Robert" == Robert Casey writes:

Jack And how hard did that CW op work?

Robert Well some of us here could do it while driving a bus. I
Robert wouldn't recomment it, as if something happened that driver
Robert would be in deep do-do.....

True, just like some of those phone ops could do it while driving an
SUV filled with brats in soccer cleats. What's your point?

Jack.
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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Mike Coslo wrote in message ...
Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing
question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

Yep. In fact it should be triple for CW and double for data modes.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Sure - if that mode uses less spectrum space and is more efficient.

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

It's more than fair. If anything the slant is towards 'phone because
you can put almost anybody in front of the mike after a few minutes
instruction and they can make FD QSOs (particularly if there's a
'logger' sitting right there).

Working CW takes special skills, working PSK-31 takes more equipment
and some skill (not as much as CW, of course, but more than 'phone).
Both modes use much less spectrum space and are more efficient. So
their use should be encouraged on Field Day (which is about the only
large mixed-mode HF contest in existence).

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

Said CW op also worked hard, did he not? And is "hard work" the
criteria, or effectiveness? You can fit at least 10 CW or PSK QSOs in
the space of one SSB QSO. Shouldn't that sort of efficiency be
encouraged?

73 de Jim, N2EY

"Steve Robeson K4CAP" wrote in message
...
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 7:34 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing

question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do. In this regard,
as in
any other pursuit in life, greater skill should be rewarded.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Not "more equal"...Just better compensation.

As a Nurse with my experience, credentials and skills, I expect to be
compensated accordiningly. So why not be "compensated" in a contest that
required using honed skills, too...?!?!

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

Shudda been on the paddles!

Seriously, though...Most contests differentiatemodes in awards...

Steve, K4YZ





Simply stated....CW Contesting requires real skills. Digital requires the
ability to type.
Phone is way down there from the above requirements.

If you want to do so....Give phone 1 point, digital 2 points, and CW 5
points per qso.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Dan/W4NTI

Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do.

5nn QRZ ....


While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

5nn vs you're five by nine

honed skills, too...?!?!
and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

5nn 5nn

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard

Yep with one of those new fangled voice machines.

The above is in response to what one hears in contesting in addition to a
lot of bad manners and yes that happens on CW also ergo KI3R does his
"needle point" that weekend.

73 and 5nn de Tom KI3R QRZ .....

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"Tom" == garigue writes:

[...]

Tom Yep with one of those new fangled voice machines.

Ugh! You've hit my primary pet peeve with contesting.

Tom The above is in response to what one hears in contesting in
Tom addition to a lot of bad manners and yes that happens on CW also
Tom ergo KI3R does his "needle point" that weekend.

Those "voice keyers" annoy me more than anything, even "CW keyers". I
felt like jumping into a QSO Party a few weeks ago but *five*
different stations had voice keyers calling CQ every thirty seconds
and didn't acknowledge my response. Honestly, if you can't talk into
the radio for the length of the contest, then maybe you should take a
break.

Voice keyers in my opinion are just plain wrong.

Tom 73 and 5nn de Tom KI3R QRZ .....

Jack.
(thanks for pushing the button)
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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Jack Twilley wrote:
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"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:


Mike With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any
Mike reason to have contests give double the points for Morse code
Mike contacts?

How is the presence or absence of Morse code testing related to the
point multiplier for Morse code contacts? They're orthogonal, as far
as I can tell.

I was always told that the increased points offered was an
encouragement to work CW.


Mike While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does
Mike it make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than
Mike others?

Yes, in my humble opinion. It's harder (at least for me and many of
my ham friends) to make contacts via CW, so those should be worth more
points.

Mike Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth
Mike double points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the
Mike same double points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked
Mike up a fair number of points operating PSK31, and it was certainly
Mike no more difficult than operating Phone.

I don't operate PSK31, and I'm not that interested in trying at the
moment, so I can't say.

Mike I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked
Mike hard and logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op
Mike with little more than half that number.

And how hard did that CW op work?


I doubt twice as hard as the Phone person.

- Mike KB3EIA -

N2EY wrote:

Mike Coslo wrote in message ...

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing
question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?


Yep. In fact it should be triple for CW and double for data modes.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?


Sure - if that mode uses less spectrum space and is more efficient.

Wow, talk about an arbitrary point, Jim! I never heard of any contest
rules based on bandwidth. ALthough if they did, it could make fro some
interesting scoring.


Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.


It's more than fair. If anything the slant is towards 'phone because
you can put almost anybody in front of the mike after a few minutes
instruction and they can make FD QSOs (particularly if there's a
'logger' sitting right there).

Working CW takes special skills, working PSK-31 takes more equipment
and some skill (not as much as CW, of course, but more than 'phone).
Both modes use much less spectrum space and are more efficient. So
their use should be encouraged on Field Day (which is about the only
large mixed-mode HF contest in existence).

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.


Said CW op also worked hard, did he not? And is "hard work" the
criteria, or effectiveness? You can fit at least 10 CW or PSK QSOs in
the space of one SSB QSO. Shouldn't that sort of efficiency be
encouraged?

If it were the arbitrary reasoning behind the contest.

- Mike KB3EIA -

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"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:

Mike With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any
Mike reason to have contests give double the points for Morse code
Mike contacts?

Jack How is the presence or absence of Morse code testing related to
Jack the point multiplier for Morse code contacts? They're
Jack orthogonal, as far as I can tell.

Mike I was always told that the increased points offered was an
Mike encouragement to work CW.

That doesn't really answer the question. A Technician can send CW on
certain HF bands, even without a higher-class license-holder present.
A ham with any other license can work phone contacts. Therefore,
whether or not an amateur has passed a Morse code test has nothing to
do with woether or not they can use Morse code. Even if the
multiplier is to provide encouragement to use Morse code, it still
doesn't have anything to do with whether or not hams are tested.

Now, if you're going to assert that the potential end to Morse code
testing will eventually cause hams to stop learning and/or using Morse
code, and that therefore the multiplier is akin to the "marriage
penalty" [1], well, I'm not sure that's true. If it is, NCI should be
raising holy hell about the pro-code conspiracy behind all these
contests, right?

[...]

Mike I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked
Mike hard and logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op
Mike with little more than half that number.

Jack And how hard did that CW op work?

Mike I doubt twice as hard as the Phone person.

You could measure it yourself, you know. Work two similar contests
(say, two of the QSO parties coming up soon). Operate solely in phone
for the first contest. Score your points and keep track of your
experience with notes or something. Operate solely in CW for the
second contest. Do the same sort of scoring and note-taking. Report
back to the group with your personal experience.

When I know the code, I'll do the same thing, if only to satisfy my
own curiosity.

Mike - Mike KB3EIA -

Jack.

[1] For those who are unfamiliar with this concept, for some time the
tax structure in the US was such that married couples with two similar
incomes paid more tax than married couples with one income, or with
two very dissimilar incomes, even when the total number of dollars
earned is the same. The common theory behind this is that it is
designed to encourage married couples to have one working spouse and
one non-working spouse. Whether or not this is moral, ethical, or
even a good idea is a different question.
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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Jack Twilley wrote:

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"Tom" == garigue writes:


[...]

Tom Yep with one of those new fangled voice machines.

Ugh! You've hit my primary pet peeve with contesting.

Tom The above is in response to what one hears in contesting in
Tom addition to a lot of bad manners and yes that happens on CW also
Tom ergo KI3R does his "needle point" that weekend.

Those "voice keyers" annoy me more than anything, even "CW keyers". I
felt like jumping into a QSO Party a few weeks ago but *five*
different stations had voice keyers calling CQ every thirty seconds
and didn't acknowledge my response. Honestly, if you can't talk into
the radio for the length of the contest, then maybe you should take a
break.

Voice keyers in my opinion are just plain wrong.

Agreed, I don't like keyers at all. If I made contest rules, they would
be outlawed. Get caught using a keyer, and yer out!

I've been in contests where the timeing is set so close between CQ's
that there isn't time to get in a reply. I suppose the idiot wonders why
he's getting no one coming back.

hmmm, maybe an op could get mults for turning in keyers! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

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"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:

[... me ranting about voice keyers ...]

Mike Agreed, I don't like keyers at all. If I made contest rules,
Mike they would be outlawed. Get caught using a keyer, and yer out!

Sounds like a good deal to me. Make every contest night a straight
key night. Or paddles, or whatever, as long as it's by hand and
without assistance -- that means no keyboards either.

Mike I've been in contests where the timeing is set so close between
Mike CQ's that there isn't time to get in a reply. I suppose the
Mike idiot wonders why he's getting no one coming back.

I'm waiting for the day I hear "CQ contest, CQ contest, this is K1XY,
please QSY five kilohertz up..." repeated over and over. That'll
really tweak me.

Mike hmmm, maybe an op could get mults for turning in keyers! 8^)

Nah, imagine a Turing-like contest where you get points for
identifying different methods of Morse transmission, such as straight
keys, paddles, bugs, keyboard or keyers.

Mike - Mike KB3EIA -

Jack.
(talk about your obscure skills test)
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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"Jack Twilley" wrote

If it is, NCI should be raising holy hell about the
pro-code conspiracy behind all these
contests, right?

One NCI Director calls contests "electronic splat ball".
Actually, I kinda like that description. One of my grandsons
asked about contesting, and I used that metaphor. Now he wants
to multi-op with me in this years SS.

You could measure it yourself, you know. Work two similar
contests
(say, two of the QSO parties coming up soon). Operate solely
in phone
for the first contest. Score your points and keep track of
your
experience with notes or something. Operate solely in CW for
the
second contest. Do the same sort of scoring and note-taking.
Report
back to the group with your personal experience.

I regularly work both weekends of SS (CW one weekend, Phone two
weeks later). Both are scored the same way, each two-way contact
counts for 2 points (a message sent and a message received).
Personally I enjoy the CW weekend more, but invariably score
higher on Phone weekend, simply because I can copy CW at only
about 45 WPM, and voice at about 300WPM.

73, de Hans, K0HB

PS: If you don't like keyers, you ain't gonna make it
contesting.

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...
Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing
question, but is related by being a CW operating question.


With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

- Mike KB3EIA -


Yes it is worth giving the CW contacts double points. It will serve as an
aid in preserving a valuable communications tool. Some people will learn it
for the very purpose of getting more points in the contest.

This last Field Day, conditions were so poor that our two CW stations netted
more contacts than our three voice stations and GOTA station combined. Not
just points mind you but actual number of contacts.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Jack Twilley" wrote in message
...
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"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:

Mike With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any
Mike reason to have contests give double the points for Morse code
Mike contacts?

Jack How is the presence or absence of Morse code testing related to
Jack the point multiplier for Morse code contacts? They're
Jack orthogonal, as far as I can tell.

Mike I was always told that the increased points offered was an
Mike encouragement to work CW.

That doesn't really answer the question. A Technician can send CW on
certain HF bands, even without a higher-class license-holder present.
A ham with any other license can work phone contacts. Therefore,
whether or not an amateur has passed a Morse code test has nothing to
do with woether or not they can use Morse code. Even if the
multiplier is to provide encouragement to use Morse code, it still
doesn't have anything to do with whether or not hams are tested.

Now, if you're going to assert that the potential end to Morse code
testing will eventually cause hams to stop learning and/or using Morse
code, and that therefore the multiplier is akin to the "marriage
penalty" [1], well, I'm not sure that's true. If it is, NCI should be
raising holy hell about the pro-code conspiracy behind all these
contests, right?

[...]

Mike I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked
Mike hard and logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op
Mike with little more than half that number.

Jack And how hard did that CW op work?

Mike I doubt twice as hard as the Phone person.

You could measure it yourself, you know. Work two similar contests
(say, two of the QSO parties coming up soon). Operate solely in phone
for the first contest. Score your points and keep track of your
experience with notes or something. Operate solely in CW for the
second contest. Do the same sort of scoring and note-taking. Report
back to the group with your personal experience.

When I know the code, I'll do the same thing, if only to satisfy my
own curiosity.

Mike - Mike KB3EIA -

Jack.

Actually Jack, that would not be quite a fair measurement. The CW op has
put in many hours of practicing and participating in contests to get his/her
speed up to a really useful contest level. Although the phone op has also
put in hours participating in contests to get his/her abilities honed to
contest level, it is far fewer hours than the CW op to get to the top levels
of ability. So the double points, at least to me, also acknowledges the
longer preparatory stage that it takes to get good at it.

In the contests in which I've participated, I have noticed that the best CW
ops can usually run more stations in less time because of the need for fewer
repeats than the best phone ops. On the other hand, less experienced people
can run phone contacts faster than CW contacts.

In my own contesting experience, my all time high was 310 contacts and it
was a CW contest. My second best was down around 150 contacts and it was a
voice contest. I'm running only 100 watts and wire antennas. I found it
much easier to break through pileups and bad conditions on CW. But it took
time to learn CW.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"KØHB" wrote in message
link.net...

"Jack Twilley" wrote

If it is, NCI should be raising holy hell about the
pro-code conspiracy behind all these
contests, right?

One NCI Director calls contests "electronic splat ball".
Actually, I kinda like that description. One of my grandsons
asked about contesting, and I used that metaphor. Now he wants
to multi-op with me in this years SS.

You could measure it yourself, you know. Work two similar
contests
(say, two of the QSO parties coming up soon). Operate solely
in phone
for the first contest. Score your points and keep track of
your
experience with notes or something. Operate solely in CW for
the
second contest. Do the same sort of scoring and note-taking.
Report
back to the group with your personal experience.

I regularly work both weekends of SS (CW one weekend, Phone two
weeks later). Both are scored the same way, each two-way contact
counts for 2 points (a message sent and a message received).
Personally I enjoy the CW weekend more, but invariably score
higher on Phone weekend, simply because I can copy CW at only
about 45 WPM, and voice at about 300WPM.

73, de Hans, K0HB

PS: If you don't like keyers, you ain't gonna make it
contesting.


Actually I find that CW is more productive and I'm not nearly as fast at CW
(20wpm for contest, 15wpm for ragchew) as you are but then I'm just running
100watts into basic wire antennas.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

"Dee D. Flint" wrote


Actually I find that CW is more productive and I'm not nearly
as fast at CW
(20wpm for contest, 15wpm for ragchew) as you are but then I'm
just running
100watts into basic wire antennas.


Do you run a frequency, or do you "search and pounce"?

If you have a modest station and you S&P, then CW will likely be
more productive because the gating factor is **getting the
attention of the target station**. CW can be better at that
because you can 'un-zero-beat' to stand out from the pile up and
use other tricks and skills.

However, if you're running a frequency, then the **speed with
which you can exchange messages** is the gating factor, and voice
is faster than Morse by quite a margin.

The November SS is a particularly good event to compare CW vs.
Phone, since the two weekends are close together (share the same
general propagation conditions) and the list of participants is
nearly identical between the two weekends so differing skill
levels and station configurations are factored out.

73, de Hans, K0HB

"KØHB" wrote in message
link.net...

"Dee D. Flint" wrote


Actually I find that CW is more productive and I'm not nearly
as fast at CW
(20wpm for contest, 15wpm for ragchew) as you are but then I'm
just running
100watts into basic wire antennas.


Do you run a frequency, or do you "search and pounce"?

If you have a modest station and you S&P, then CW will likely be
more productive because the gating factor is **getting the
attention of the target station**. CW can be better at that
because you can 'un-zero-beat' to stand out from the pile up and
use other tricks and skills.

However, if you're running a frequency, then the **speed with
which you can exchange messages** is the gating factor, and voice
is faster than Morse by quite a margin.

The November SS is a particularly good event to compare CW vs.
Phone, since the two weekends are close together (share the same
general propagation conditions) and the list of participants is
nearly identical between the two weekends so differing skill
levels and station configurations are factored out.

73, de Hans, K0HB


I've tried running a frequency on SSB contests but just don't get enough
takers to make it worthwhile so I finally end up doing the "search and
pounce". I'm not good enough yet to run a frequency on CW so by necessity
do "search and pounce" when operating in this mode.

Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: "Dee D. Flint"
Date: 4/27/2004 8:55 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

I've tried running a frequency on SSB contests but just don't get enough
takers to make it worthwhile so I finally end up doing the "search and
pounce". I'm not good enough yet to run a frequency on CW so by necessity
do "search and pounce" when operating in this mode.

I had a lot more fun just setting a "personal goal" and working towards
that when I get into a contest. I set out to get a "Clean Sweep" a few yeas
ago and did it...with less than 150 Q's on each mode!

I'm wondering how many S-units will be added to my 100 watt mobile signal
if it's "/VO1" in the next Sweepstakes...?!?!

73

Steve, K4YZ

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

"Hans" == groupk0hb writes:

Hans "Jack Twilley" wrote

Jack If it is, NCI should be raising holy hell about the pro-code
Jack conspiracy behind all these contests, right?

Hans One NCI Director calls contests "electronic splat ball".
Hans Actually, I kinda like that description. One of my grandsons
Hans asked about contesting, and I used that metaphor. Now he wants
Hans to multi-op with me in this years SS.

Contests mean different things to different people, as you make clear
with your postscript.

Hans I regularly work both weekends of SS (CW one weekend, Phone two
Hans weeks later). Both are scored the same way, each two-way
Hans contact counts for 2 points (a message sent and a message
Hans received). Personally I enjoy the CW weekend more, but
Hans invariably score higher on Phone weekend, simply because I can
Hans copy CW at only about 45 WPM, and voice at about 300WPM.

If you were the average ham, Hans, and the purpose of the point
multiplier was to balance out the speeds, then the multiplier would
have to be 6 to be "fair". Personally, my multiplier right now would
have to be 20, but it's a goal of mine to get it down to 2 someday.

Hans 73, de Hans, K0HB

Hans PS: If you don't like keyers, you ain't gonna make it
Hans contesting.

We definitely have different goals in contesting. I don't care about
beating anyone else. When I enter a contest, my goal is to collect as
many points as possible without losing sight of why I'm there -- to
have fun, and to become a better operator.

What's your goal?

Jack.
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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"Jack Twilley" wrote


What's your goal?


Depends on the event....

In the MNQP it's to give everyone (especially county hunters) a
chance to work a new Minnesota county.

In CQWWDX it's to do better than I've ever done before (setting a
new personal best) knowing I'll never win because I live in the
infamous "black hole" of propagation and can't break throught the
right- and left-coast RF curtains.

In either of the 160 contests it's to pick up new countries to
fill out my 6-band DXCC.

In Nov SS it's take-no-prisoners-bring-home-the-walnut-plaque and
get in the top-10 box for my class.

In CQ-M it's to fill in the blanks on my oblast map.

In all of them, to have fun, tweak the engineering of my station
and antenna farm for best communications efficiency, and to pick
up some kind of bragging rights for the next MWA meeting (see
http://www.w0aa.org)

73, de Hans, K0HB

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1

"Dee" == Dee D Flint writes:

[... I suggested an experiment ...]

Dee Actually Jack, that would not be quite a fair measurement. The
Dee CW op has put in many hours of practicing and participating in
Dee contests to get his/her speed up to a really useful contest
Dee level. Although the phone op has also put in hours participating
Dee in contests to get his/her abilities honed to contest level, it
Dee is far fewer hours than the CW op to get to the top levels of
Dee ability. So the double points, at least to me, also acknowledges
Dee the longer preparatory stage that it takes to get good at it.

Not all CW ops put in as many hours of practice, and some phone ops
put in serious hours. My first contest -- as an Extra, no less -- was
a Field Day. I was terrified of the microphone, and spent more than
six hours practicing calling into a dead mike. It may sound stupid to
some of you, but I was really really really shy. We had a written
script to follow: "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, this is Whiskey Six
Charlie X-Ray" was the first line, then the next line included the
response with blanks to fill in, and even a line to thank the other
amateur and wish them luck in the contest. I don't think of this as
being the same as a voice keyer, by the way. We were actually pushing
the mike button and speaking, which was very exciting. The one thing
that was more fun than calling CQ was being the control op for
Technicians and non-amateurs who wanted to give it a try. One Tech
got the Cooke Islands as his first QSO, and he's now a General.

Dee In the contests in which I've participated, I have noticed that
Dee the best CW ops can usually run more stations in less time
Dee because of the need for fewer repeats than the best phone ops.
Dee On the other hand, less experienced people can run phone contacts
Dee faster than CW contacts.

Oh, I agree. By far, the most common phrase at my station was "Say
again?". At my current stage of CW "literacy", I effectively need an
interpreter -- that cuts down on speed drastically.

Dee In my own contesting experience, my all time high was 310
Dee contacts and it was a CW contest. My second best was down around
Dee 150 contacts and it was a voice contest. I'm running only 100
Dee watts and wire antennas. I found it much easier to break through
Dee pileups and bad conditions on CW. But it took time to learn CW.

I'm also in the 100W and wire antenna group. I don't have enough
experience with pile-ups and bad conditions, but one reason I want to
learn CW is because people think about what they send and don't waste
words on stupid stuff (at least in my fantasy-land) unlike other parts
of the band. I've only heard five minutes of 14.313, but that plus
some VHF repeater abuse has been enough to convince me that I want to
be where the better operators are, and I really hope they're on CW.

Dee Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Jack.
- --
Jack Twilley
jmt at twilley dot org
http colon slash slash www dot twilley dot org slash tilde jmt slash
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Dee D. Flint wrote:
"Jack Twilley" wrote in message
...

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1


"Mike" == Mike Coslo writes:

Mike With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any
Mike reason to have contests give double the points for Morse code
Mike contacts?

Jack How is the presence or absence of Morse code testing related to
Jack the point multiplier for Morse code contacts? They're
Jack orthogonal, as far as I can tell.

Mike I was always told that the increased points offered was an
Mike encouragement to work CW.

That doesn't really answer the question. A Technician can send CW on
certain HF bands, even without a higher-class license-holder present.
A ham with any other license can work phone contacts. Therefore,
whether or not an amateur has passed a Morse code test has nothing to
do with woether or not they can use Morse code. Even if the
multiplier is to provide encouragement to use Morse code, it still
doesn't have anything to do with whether or not hams are tested.

Now, if you're going to assert that the potential end to Morse code
testing will eventually cause hams to stop learning and/or using Morse
code, and that therefore the multiplier is akin to the "marriage
penalty" [1], well, I'm not sure that's true. If it is, NCI should be
raising holy hell about the pro-code conspiracy behind all these
contests, right?

[...]

Mike I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked
Mike hard and logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op
Mike with little more than half that number.

Jack And how hard did that CW op work?

Mike I doubt twice as hard as the Phone person.

You could measure it yourself, you know. Work two similar contests
(say, two of the QSO parties coming up soon). Operate solely in phone
for the first contest. Score your points and keep track of your
experience with notes or something. Operate solely in CW for the
second contest. Do the same sort of scoring and note-taking. Report
back to the group with your personal experience.

When I know the code, I'll do the same thing, if only to satisfy my
own curiosity.

Mike - Mike KB3EIA -

Jack.


Actually Jack, that would not be quite a fair measurement. The CW op has
put in many hours of practicing and participating in contests to get his/her
speed up to a really useful contest level. Although the phone op has also
put in hours participating in contests to get his/her abilities honed to
contest level, it is far fewer hours than the CW op to get to the top levels
of ability. So the double points, at least to me, also acknowledges the
longer preparatory stage that it takes to get good at it.

hmmmm, I have to disagree somewhat.

This is kind of putting CW on a pedestal. Let's take FD as an example.

I spend a lot of time planning, putting up antennas and tents and hours
and hours of operating. Some of our CW ops help in this effort also,
including the hardest working one out of the bunch. But some others
simply show up and work a few hours, then go home.

The point is, if you give extra points because of effort involved, then
you have to decide what constitutes "effort".





In the contests in which I've participated, I have noticed that the best CW
ops can usually run more stations in less time because of the need for fewer
repeats than the best phone ops.

I have been amazed how quickly they can run. Humbled in fact. Adn I
think that kind of flies in the face of those that say that CW is slower
to work in a contest than SSB.


On the other hand, less experienced people
can run phone contacts faster than CW contacts.

If you compare the person to them self, that is true.





In my own contesting experience, my all time high was 310 contacts and it
was a CW contest. My second best was down around 150 contacts and it was a
voice contest. I'm running only 100 watts and wire antennas. I found it
much easier to break through pileups and bad conditions on CW. But it took
time to learn CW.

But it took some time to learn just how to put a station together too.

I'll defend testing CW, and I've been willing to put in a lot of effort
to take my CW abilities to the "he stinks" level. But it sure seems like
an unnatural advantage to have double points.

- mike KB3EIA -

"Jack Twilley" wrote

If you were the average ham, Hans......

"Average" and "contesting" are incompatible concepts.

"Nothing average ever stood as a monument to progress. When
progress is looking for a partner it doesn't turn to those who
believe that they are only average. It turns instead to those who
are forever searching and striving to become the best they
possibly can. If we seek the average level, we cannot hope to
achieve a higher level of success. Our only hope is to avoid
being a failure."
-- Lou Vickery

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 1:22 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:


And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?


We had a kid come on and operate psk31 almost immediately...(SNIP)


That's my point! Almsot anyone can do it. So why give it par-level
scoring with Morse Code?


Just seems like the ones I participate in give double for the CW. I'll
need to look some more.


I am contemplating a trip to VO1 for Sweepstakes this year. I had hoped
to go last year but a family emergency canx'd that idea. Not sure if I will go
for CW or SSB weekend, tho...Can't swing both!


Now that should be a cool trip. One of these years I want to make it to
Newfoundland.


- Mike KB3EIA -

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/28/2004 2:26 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:
Subject: Morse and Contests

I am contemplating a trip to VO1 for Sweepstakes this year. I had
hoped
to go last year but a family emergency canx'd that idea. Not sure if I
will go
for CW or SSB weekend, tho...Can't swing both!

Now that should be a cool trip. One of these years I want to make it to

Newfoundland.

Yeah...but in November...?!?!

I can hack wet, and I can hack cold...wet and cold doesn't seem to be a
very comforting combination...! I have put out a solicitation on my
"ER-Nurses" list server and have already received some responses from my
colleagues in Canada with info on lodging opportunities. I hope to find a nice
cabin somewhere.

73

Steve, K4YZ

"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message link.net...
"Steve Robeson K4CAP" wrote in message
...
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 7:34 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW testing

question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do. In this regard,
as in
any other pursuit in life, greater skill should be rewarded.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Not "more equal"...Just better compensation.

As a Nurse with my experience, credentials and skills, I expect to be
compensated accordiningly. So why not be "compensated" in a contest that
required using honed skills, too...?!?!

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a keyboard?

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

Shudda been on the paddles!

Seriously, though...Most contests differentiatemodes in awards...

Steve, K4YZ





Simply stated....CW Contesting requires real skills. Digital requires the
ability to type.
Phone is way down there from the above requirements.

If you want to do so....Give phone 1 point, digital 2 points, and CW 5
points per qso.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Dan/W4NTI

Your opinion looks wrong to me.

My opinion is that the point schedule should be inverted from what you
propose. I mean, when Aaron Jones was keeping the Morse Myths list,
it would appear that a CW QSO just couldn't fail. It always got
through, no matter the propogation, the power level, the QRN, or the
QRM. Each and every Op would QRS for the new guy and everything was
just so wonderful.

Meanwhile phone Ops practice dog-eat-dog, QRM each other, use bad
phonetics, and propogation is always iffy. Furthermore, they marry
their Technician sisters and don't even QSL.

Bass turds!

Give the phone ops 5 pts per completed QSO, the CW Ops get 1.

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: "Dee D. Flint"
Date: 4/27/2004 8:55 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:


I've tried running a frequency on SSB contests but just don't get enough
takers to make it worthwhile so I finally end up doing the "search and
pounce". I'm not good enough yet to run a frequency on CW so by necessity
do "search and pounce" when operating in this mode.


I had a lot more fun just setting a "personal goal" and working towards
that when I get into a contest. I set out to get a "Clean Sweep" a few yeas
ago and did it...with less than 150 Q's on each mode!

My goal is to try to up my personal best each time I revisit the same
contest. Two years in a row now, I have missed getting all 67 counties
in the PAQSO by *one* county. That is my biggest goal this year. Second
goal is to be first from PA in the New England QSO party. I've been
stuck at third for the last two years. I did a lot better last year than
the year before, but so have the people I'm competing with.


I'm wondering how many S-units will be added to my 100 watt mobile signal
if it's "/VO1" in the next Sweepstakes...?!?!

You gonna be pop-u-lar! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -

Jack Twilley wrote:

-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE-----
Hash: SHA1


"Dee" == Dee D Flint writes:


[... I suggested an experiment ...]

Dee Actually Jack, that would not be quite a fair measurement. The
Dee CW op has put in many hours of practicing and participating in
Dee contests to get his/her speed up to a really useful contest
Dee level. Although the phone op has also put in hours participating
Dee in contests to get his/her abilities honed to contest level, it
Dee is far fewer hours than the CW op to get to the top levels of
Dee ability. So the double points, at least to me, also acknowledges
Dee the longer preparatory stage that it takes to get good at it.

Not all CW ops put in as many hours of practice, and some phone ops
put in serious hours. My first contest -- as an Extra, no less -- was
a Field Day. I was terrified of the microphone, and spent more than
six hours practicing calling into a dead mike. It may sound stupid to
some of you, but I was really really really shy. We had a written
script to follow: "CQ Field Day, CQ Field Day, this is Whiskey Six
Charlie X-Ray" was the first line, then the next line included the
response with blanks to fill in, and even a line to thank the other
amateur and wish them luck in the contest. I don't think of this as
being the same as a voice keyer, by the way.

Definitely not! I am a firm believer that Contesting can be a great way
to get people involved in ham radio. Many of them don't quite know what
to say the first times, and a set call/reply/response gives a structure
to the QSO. After that, they can develop their own personal manner of
speaking during the QSO. I think what you did is the only way to go for
new folk.


We were actually pushing
the mike button and speaking, which was very exciting. The one thing
that was more fun than calling CQ was being the control op for
Technicians and non-amateurs who wanted to give it a try. One Tech
got the Cooke Islands as his first QSO, and he's now a General.

Oh yeah, lightning strikes! Not to sound gushy, but imagine what was
going through his mind at the moment.

Contesting was what started me on the upgrade path. At one time I was
happy to just use the repeater and was going to do things on VHF and up.
- Mike KB3EIA -

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/28/2004 2:26 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:

Subject: Morse and Contests


I am contemplating a trip to VO1 for Sweepstakes this year. I had

hoped

to go last year but a family emergency canx'd that idea. Not sure if I

will go

for CW or SSB weekend, tho...Can't swing both!

Now that should be a cool trip. One of these years I want to make it to


Newfoundland.


Yeah...but in November...?!?!

I can hack wet, and I can hack cold...wet and cold doesn't seem to be a
very comforting combination...! I have put out a solicitation on my
"ER-Nurses" list server and have already received some responses from my
colleagues in Canada with info on lodging opportunities. I hope to find a nice
cabin somewhere.

Well, I went to the "Winterlude" in Ottawa this past February. Did you
know that Ottawa is the second coldest countries capital in the world -
the coldest is in one of the 'Stans! Anyhow, the people in Ottawa, after
being socked in during November, December and January, finally go
bonkers when the days get longer and the cold loses a little of it's
grip. They then pretend it is warmer than it really is, and have three
weekends of partying outside. Very cool, if crazy. I had a blast. My son
and I took a many mile skate on the Rideau canal, which freezes over
entirely during the winter. They even have concessions on the canal,
and flood it to resurface the ice for a good skate.

They really know how to do winter in Canada, so you'll be taken care of
well, youbet.

- Mike KB3EIA -

"William" wrote in message
om...
"Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@get rid of this mindspring.com wrote in message
link.net...
"Steve Robeson K4CAP" wrote in message
...
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: Mike Coslo
Date: 4/27/2004 7:34 AM Central Standard Time
Message-id:

Idly musing, I thought of this a few moments ago. It isn't a CW
testing

question, but is related by being a CW operating question.

With the likely demise of Morse code testing, is there any reason to
have contests give double the points for Morse code contacts?

Sure...why not? It requires some REAL skill to do. In this
regard,
as in
any other pursuit in life, greater skill should be rewarded.

While of course all contest rules are inherently arbitrary, does it
make sense to have one mode of contact be "more equal" than others?

Not "more equal"...Just better compensation.

As a Nurse with my experience, credentials and skills, I expect to
be
compensated accordiningly. So why not be "compensated" in a contest
that
required using honed skills, too...?!?!

Put another way, if you think that CW contacts should be worth
double
points, is it fair to have say, PSK31 contacts worth the same double
points such as in Field day? Our GOTA station racked up a fair number
of
points operating PSK31, and it was certainly no more difficult than
operating Phone.

And how long would it take a "new" Ham to master using a
keyboard?

I've seen a number of cases where a phone operator has worked hard
and
logged a lot of QSO's, only to be beaten by a CW op with little more
than half that number.

Shudda been on the paddles!

Seriously, though...Most contests differentiatemodes in awards...

Steve, K4YZ





Simply stated....CW Contesting requires real skills. Digital requires
the
ability to type.
Phone is way down there from the above requirements.

If you want to do so....Give phone 1 point, digital 2 points, and CW 5
points per qso.

That's my opinion, and I'm sticking to it.

Dan/W4NTI

Your opinion looks wrong to me.

My opinion is that the point schedule should be inverted from what you
propose. I mean, when Aaron Jones was keeping the Morse Myths list,
it would appear that a CW QSO just couldn't fail. It always got
through, no matter the propogation, the power level, the QRN, or the
QRM. Each and every Op would QRS for the new guy and everything was
just so wonderful.

Meanwhile phone Ops practice dog-eat-dog, QRM each other, use bad
phonetics, and propogation is always iffy. Furthermore, they marry
their Technician sisters and don't even QSL.

Bass turds!

Give the phone ops 5 pts per completed QSO, the CW Ops get 1.

And what was your score in the last major DX contest? Or lets make it
easier. How many DX QSO's have you had in a major contest....????

If under 300, you are disqualified from inputing on this discussioon.

Dan/W4NTI

"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:
Subject: Morse and Contests
From: "Dee D. Flint"
Date: 4/27/2004 8:55 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:


I've tried running a frequency on SSB contests but just don't get enough
takers to make it worthwhile so I finally end up doing the "search and
pounce". I'm not good enough yet to run a frequency on CW so by
necessity
do "search and pounce" when operating in this mode.


I had a lot more fun just setting a "personal goal" and working
towards
that when I get into a contest. I set out to get a "Clean Sweep" a few
yeas
ago and did it...with less than 150 Q's on each mode!

My goal is to try to up my personal best each time I revisit the same
contest. Two years in a row now, I have missed getting all 67 counties
in the PAQSO by *one* county. That is my biggest goal this year. Second
goal is to be first from PA in the New England QSO party. I've been
stuck at third for the last two years. I did a lot better last year than
the year before, but so have the people I'm competing with.


I'm wondering how many S-units will be added to my 100 watt mobile
signal
if it's "/VO1" in the next Sweepstakes...?!?!

You gonna be pop-u-lar! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -


I would rather see him sign from the Yukon myself. Much rarer.

Dan/W4NTI

bject: Morse and Contests
From: "Dan/W4NTI" w4nti@getrid of this mindspring.com
Date: 4/29/2004 12:37 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id: . net


"William" wrote in message
. com...
Meanwhile phone Ops practice dog-eat-dog, QRM each other, use bad
phonetics, and propogation is always iffy. Furthermore, they marry
their Technician sisters and don't even QSL.

Bass turds!

Give the phone ops 5 pts per completed QSO, the CW Ops get 1.

And what was your score in the last major DX contest? Or lets make it
easier. How many DX QSO's have you had in a major contest....????

If under 300, you are disqualified from inputing on this discussioon.

Better yet, how many DX contacts has he made as a duly-authorized control
operator from a DX location...?!?!

73

Steve, K4YZ

Dan/W4NTI wrote:
"Mike Coslo" wrote in message
...


Steve Robeson K4CAP wrote:

Subject: Morse and Contests
From: "Dee D. Flint"
Date: 4/27/2004 8:55 PM Central Standard Time
Message-id:


I've tried running a frequency on SSB contests but just don't get enough
takers to make it worthwhile so I finally end up doing the "search and
pounce". I'm not good enough yet to run a frequency on CW so by

necessity

do "search and pounce" when operating in this mode.


I had a lot more fun just setting a "personal goal" and working

towards

that when I get into a contest. I set out to get a "Clean Sweep" a few

yeas

ago and did it...with less than 150 Q's on each mode!

My goal is to try to up my personal best each time I revisit the same
contest. Two years in a row now, I have missed getting all 67 counties
in the PAQSO by *one* county. That is my biggest goal this year. Second
goal is to be first from PA in the New England QSO party. I've been
stuck at third for the last two years. I did a lot better last year than
the year before, but so have the people I'm competing with.



I'm wondering how many S-units will be added to my 100 watt mobile

signal

if it's "/VO1" in the next Sweepstakes...?!?!

You gonna be pop-u-lar! 8^)

- Mike KB3EIA -



I would rather see him sign from the Yukon myself. Much rarer.


That would be a real adventure during that time of the year. I never
had a VE8 (why does that remind me of a commercial??) ever, much less in
a contest.

- mike KB3EIA -