In Praise of Contesting
 

This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.) I also like it because even a modest
station can get a
big score.

The fall and winter also bring out a lot of anti-contest and anti-DX
complaints. Some
of them may be justified - not every contester or DXer is 100%
courteous 100% of the
time.

But a lot of the technical progress in ham radio, particularly on
HF/MF, has come about
because of contesters and DXers.

Compare a typical midrange HF ham transceiver of today with one from
the '60s or '70s
and consider how many features and performance improvements came about
because
DXers and contesters pushed for them, developed them, and paid for
them. Better
filters, better dynamic range, multiple VFOs, memories, I/O ports,
no-tune-up operation,
separate rx antenna inputs, and much much more can all be traced at
least in part to
the needs and wants of contesters and DXers.

Want to compare numbers? Check out how differently the receivers of old
and new
ham rigs perform:

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Is there a computer in your shack? One of the first widespread uses of
computers
in hamshacks was to keep contest logs. Memory keyer? Developed for
contesting.

There are lots more examples but you get the idea.

Of course a lot of these features first appear in the top-of-the-line
rigs that most of
us cannot afford. But then they work their way down to the lower-priced
stuff as the
technology matures and the development costs are paid off.

Whether you like contests and DXing or not, they do contribute to the
ARS.

(cue sound of soapbox being put away)

73 de Jim, N2EY

In Praise of Contesting
 

wrote:
This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.)

RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION. If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?

I also like it because even a modest
station can get a
big score.

Regardless of contest, a modest station only competes with itself.

The fall and winter also bring out a lot of anti-contest and anti-DX
complaints. Some
of them may be justified - not every contester or DXer is 100%
courteous 100% of the
time.

Just worry about your own station like Heil recommends.

But a lot of the technical progress in ham radio, particularly on
HF/MF, has come about
because of contesters and DXers.

You don't say.

Compare a typical midrange HF ham transceiver of today with one from
the '60s or '70s
and consider how many features and performance improvements came about
because
DXers and contesters pushed for them, developed them, and paid for
them. Better
filters, better dynamic range, multiple VFOs, memories, I/O ports,
no-tune-up operation,
separate rx antenna inputs, and much much more can all be traced at
least in part to
the needs and wants of contesters and DXers.

Are you going to use your tube transmitter?

Want to compare numbers? Check out how differently the receivers of old
and new
ham rigs perform:

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Is there a computer in your shack? One of the first widespread uses of
computers
in hamshacks was to keep contest logs. Memory keyer? Developed for
contesting.

There are lots more examples but you get the idea.

Yes.

Of course a lot of these features first appear in the top-of-the-line
rigs that most of
us cannot afford. But then they work their way down to the lower-priced
stuff as the
technology matures and the development costs are paid off.

Whether you like contests and DXing or not, they do contribute to the
ARS.

(cue sound of soapbox being put away)

73 de Jim, N2EY

Thank you, Jim. You've almost caught up with what John Dorr was
editorilizing 15 years ago.

In Praise of Contesting
 

wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.)

RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION. If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?


Just check the ARRL website. All that is required are the band, mode, call
signs and date. No RST is required.


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Do you send signal reports during repeater QSO's? If not, when will you go back and complete those QSO's?


A card for DXCC credit must contain the callsign (of both stations), the location (DXCC entity) of the QSL-sending station, the date/time of the QSO, the frequency or band, and the mode. RST is not a required element for the QSO to be valid for DXCC.

The Man in the Maze
QRV from Baboquivari Peak, AZ

In Praise of Contesting
 

wrote:
wrote:

This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.)


RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION. If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?

A QSL card without a signal report is most assuredly valid for awards.

I also like it because even a modest
station can get a
big score.


Regardless of contest, a modest station only competes with itself.

How do you figure that? There are categories set up for low power
stations and for QRP stations.


The fall and winter also bring out a lot of anti-contest and anti-DX
complaints. Some
of them may be justified - not every contester or DXer is 100%
courteous 100% of the
time.


Just worry about your own station like Heil recommends.

I wrote only about operating one's station in accordance with the
regulations.


But a lot of the technical progress in ham radio, particularly on
HF/MF, has come about
because of contesters and DXers.


You don't say.

He said.

Compare a typical midrange HF ham transceiver of today with one from
the '60s or '70s
and consider how many features and performance improvements came about
because
DXers and contesters pushed for them, developed them, and paid for
them. Better
filters, better dynamic range, multiple VFOs, memories, I/O ports,
no-tune-up operation,
separate rx antenna inputs, and much much more can all be traced at
least in part to
the needs and wants of contesters and DXers.


Are you going to use your tube transmitter?

Do you plan to operate at all?

Want to compare numbers? Check out how differently the receivers of old
and new
ham rigs perform:

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Is there a computer in your shack? One of the first widespread uses of
computers
in hamshacks was to keep contest logs. Memory keyer? Developed for
contesting.

There are lots more examples but you get the idea.


Yes.

Good for you.


Of course a lot of these features first appear in the top-of-the-line
rigs that most of
us cannot afford. But then they work their way down to the lower-priced
stuff as the
technology matures and the development costs are paid off.

Whether you like contests and DXing or not, they do contribute to the
ARS.

(cue sound of soapbox being put away)

73 de Jim, N2EY


Thank you, Jim. You've almost caught up with what John Dorr was
editorilizing 15 years ago.

Does that mean we'll be hearing from you in the CW SS?

Dave K8MN

In Praise of Contesting
 

Dave Heil wrote:
wrote:
wrote:

This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.)


RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION. If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?

A QSL card without a signal report is most assuredly valid for awards.

Thanks, Dave. I was wrong.

I also like it because even a modest
station can get a
big score.


Regardless of contest, a modest station only competes with itself.

How do you figure that? There are categories set up for low power
stations and for QRP stations.

And every station is such category is different. Work on improving
your operating skill or work on improving your station, or both.

The fall and winter also bring out a lot of anti-contest and anti-DX
complaints. Some
of them may be justified - not every contester or DXer is 100%
courteous 100% of the
time.

Just worry about your own station like Heil recommends.

I wrote only about operating one's station in accordance with the
regulations.

I'm so glad that you left out "good amateur practice" which is what Jim
was referring to.

But a lot of the technical progress in ham radio, particularly on
HF/MF, has come about
because of contesters and DXers.

You don't say.

He said.

In reading some FEMA literature recently, HF is a legacy communication
system.

Compare a typical midrange HF ham transceiver of today with one from
the '60s or '70s
and consider how many features and performance improvements came about
because
DXers and contesters pushed for them, developed them, and paid for
them. Better
filters, better dynamic range, multiple VFOs, memories, I/O ports,
no-tune-up operation,
separate rx antenna inputs, and much much more can all be traced at
least in part to
the needs and wants of contesters and DXers.


Are you going to use your tube transmitter?

Do you plan to operate at all?

No. I live in a restricted neighborhood. My antennas are ready to
deploy if there's an emergency, but I don't intend to violate the
covenant rules for "pleasure" operating.

Are you going to operate a tube radio for the contest?

Want to compare numbers? Check out how differently the receivers of old
and new
ham rigs perform:

http://www.sherweng.com/table.html

Is there a computer in your shack? One of the first widespread uses of
computers
in hamshacks was to keep contest logs. Memory keyer? Developed for
contesting.

There are lots more examples but you get the idea.

Yes.

Good for you.

Thank you.

Of course a lot of these features first appear in the top-of-the-line
rigs that most of
us cannot afford. But then they work their way down to the lower-priced
stuff as the
technology matures and the development costs are paid off.

Whether you like contests and DXing or not, they do contribute to the
ARS.

(cue sound of soapbox being put away)

73 de Jim, N2EY

Thank you, Jim. You've almost caught up with what John Dorr was
editorilizing 15 years ago.

Does that mean we'll be hearing from you in the CW SS?

Dave K8MN

It means that you may be hearing from John Dorr in the Sweeps. Or not.

In Praise of Contesting
 

Iitoi wrote:
Wrote:

RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION.

Do you send signal reports during repeater QSO's? If not, when will
you go back and complete those QSO's?

"Good copy" "Lima charlie" "Scratchy" "Picket fencing" "Alternator
whine" etc.

Thanks for asking.

Wrote:


If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?

A card for DXCC credit must contain the callsign (of both stations),
the location (DXCC entity) of the QSL-sending station, the date/time of
the QSO, the frequency or band, and the mode. RST is not a required
element for the QSO to be valid for DXCC.

Thanks, I stand corrected.

The Man in the Maze
QRV from Baboquivari Peak, AZ


--
Iitoi

In Praise of Contesting
 

Dee Flint wrote:
wrote in message
ups.com...

wrote:
This weekend is the ARRL November Sweepstakes (SS) on CW. I plan to be
on the air,
making as many points as possible. SS is perhaps my favorite contest,
because it
requires a real exchange (4 pieces of info besides the callsign, and
the signal report
is not part of the exchange.)

RS(T) is a standard "piece" of info. A QSO would not be complete
without it, IN MY OPINION. If there are any ARRL card checkers out
there, is a card without a signal report valid?


Just check the ARRL website. All that is required are the band, mode, call
signs and date. No RST is required.


Dee D. Flint, N8UZE

Thanks for checking, Dee. I was wrong.

In Praise of Contesting
 

In Praise of Contesting
 

Results:

443 QSOs, 77 sections, 68,222 points. Missed only ND, PAC and AK.

73 de Jim, N2EY