[VE3WDM] My CQ WW CW contest overview.

[VE3WDM via rec.radio.amateur.moderated Admin]

VE3WDM's QRPower BLOG

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My CQ WW CW contest overview.

Posted: 29 Nov 2015 04:15 PM PST
http://ve3wdm.blogspot.com/2015/11/my-cq-ww-cw-contest-overview.html

The QRP setup I had a great part time effort in the CQ WW CW contest, I was
not concerned with score or putting in a major amount to time in the
contest chair. The key goals in this contest was to see how my CW reading
by ear was doing and when on the rig to stay with it for the time I
committed too. The reading code by ear was fine up to speeds in around 25
BUT with some stations they were flying at around 35-40 wpm and that is
just to fast. My code reader MRP4066 handled the high speed code no problem
this software is not free but I found it to be the best! I entered the
contest as single op, QRP single band (15m) and I met the requirements as
a "classic" operator I added this overlay to my submission. My total QSO
count was 33 a score of 3,128 points and 10 zones. At my QTH I did not hear
the usual amount of European stations I have in the past. My operating time
was during the day from late morning to until late afternoon. During the
late morning I head mainly Caribbean, African and some European stations
but not many. As the afternoon approached more South and Central American
stations came it as Europe faded.
I did have some "Murphy" moments such as…….I was not able to get my MFJ mag
loop to tune at all at the start of the contest. Very quickly I found it
was a very loose PL-259 connected on the rear of the loop's control box.
Then for some reason N1MM+ set my CQ zone as 5 and not 4 and I did not
click into this until about 10 contacts into the contest. Finally on the K3
there is a "test" setting and I use it to check macros without
transmitting. Then old age had me forget to turn off the test mode, this
found me thinking I was calling stations but was transmitting 0 watts…..
Now that's QRP!!
Since I am operating QRP and using small MFJ loop antenna on the balcony my
operating style was as follows
- I Use my VFO B to save a strong DX station that at the time has a huge
pileup going. This stops me from wasting time trying to break the pile.
Better to come back when the crazy pileup is gone. This worked great when I
came across a Senegal station.
- Even when a station is at an S2 level but is just calling and listening
my 5 watts can and did many times make it through for a contact.
- I don't use a spotting network as I found most of these stations have a
huge pileup but I do have an Elecraft P3. Using some hardware and software
my P3 is seen on a 19 inch monitor and I am able to point and click on
signals. My K3 then moves to that signal this allows me to see the activity
on the band and Search and pounce these stations.
- When possible stay with a band such as 15m were my MFJ loop does not need
to be retuned at all across the whole CW portion.
- Stick with my 250hz Inrad 8 pole CW filter so I can get between tight
signals and only hear the op I want to contact.
In my post I am going to go into detail about my software I am now using
and finding to be great for contesting and general QSO's It's now time to
grab some eats and relax.