"G. Doughty" wrote

Just looking through the Dec. QST and looking at some of the special events
and contests. As I have never done a contest, I am lost. I am interested
in the cw side of the lighthouse event but don't know what a "serial number"
is that they want as part of the QSO. I am also unfamiliar with the
etiquette of contesting. Also, I am only sending and receiving 15wpm so I
can't keep up with half of the OM (and OL) that are sending so I can't
figure out what the etiquette is that way. I really would like to
participate in these events as practice makes perfect, but do not want to
step on anyone's toes.

Hi Shipmate, Jump in, the water is fine, and don't worry about anyone's toes.

Each contest differs in it's objectives and rules, but they all follow the
general pattern of trying to contact as many of the target stations as possible
(in this case stations at Lighthouses). A "serial number" is just a sequential
number which you assign to each contact..... your first contact is #1, second
is #2, etc.

There are a lot of resources on the web to learn contesting, to get logging
programs, participate in reflectors, etc. One of the best places to start might
be http://www.contesting.com --- from there you'll find a host of links other
sites. Go to http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/CQ-Contest and
subscribe to the CQ-Contest email reflector. It's the largest in the world, and
your questions on any conceivable radiosport subject will be answered.

73, de Hans, K0HB