I liked the 160 meter CW contest

[k0cmh]

I only got about 60 contacts, but only put in a few hours on it, mostly after dark (of course).

This is not a big player at all in the contest, but had a lot of fun chasing the propagation pattern. #Got a lot of different states, but nothing off North America.

Good time and it really gave my copy skills a work out. #I did the "search and pounce" thing #-- #no calling. #

My noise level was way to high to use a computer CW program to copy. #I did use the program to help me get tuned onto the calling frequency quickly, what with all the racket on the band at my location. #But the copy and sending was all by ear/hand.

[K3UD]

I always liked the ARRL 160 meter CW contest. Unfortunately I had less than 2 hours to devote to it. What was interesting is that contacts were available at almost time of the day. Got 37 contacts and 15 sections plus 2 DX contacts.

I also like the CQ 160 SSB contest.

73
George
K3UD

[kq9j]

I had fun, too. Only operated a couple hours each evening and that was as I was doing other things in the shack. First CW I had done in a while and it was really enjoyable. Gotta get a filter narrower than 1.8 Khz though... http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

[W4INF]

I steer clear of CW contest anymore, the last one was a waste of time for me. I couldnt copy the 30wpm ELECTRONIC KEYERS to get the details of the contact, and they didnt wait around for me to send my stats at 15wpm Farnsworth so I had no confirmed contacts.

My level, Im better suited for casual QSOs rather than contest! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[K3STX]

I beat you, I LOVED it!!! 550 QSOs, all states except AK and WY, and 12 DX countries. It was FANTASTIC!!

And I RARELY heard anything over 28 wpm in my 9 hours, I had my keyer set at 26 wpm. I know CW, and I did not hear many guys going over 30.

It was a GREAT contest, can't wait till the CQ version.

paul

[ac3p]

I had a blast too. Tried calling K3STX but guess he didn't hear me.

Anyway with just 100 watts, a straight key and a Butternut vertical and only a few hours operating time, I snagged 54 QSO's; my best. The highlight was working W1AW.

I really like this contest. CW signals from 1800 to 1880 kilocylces sounded like FD. Even the slow coders were making contacts.

Too bad it had to end so soon.

[k0cmh]

INF:

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. I can't copy that fast either and I usually camp on a calling stations until I get their call. Sometimes I listen for their exchange also. Then I will answer their call. I have returned the exchange as slow as 7 wpm. Sometimes they send "agn". I figure they are having to listen with their ear and not use a computer.

However, many stations never acknowledge the return, they simply send their call again or QRZ or such. If they send their exchange and I send mine and they are not sending when I am done sending, I consider it a complete contact and log it. I appreciate the stations that do send a tu.

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (k0cmh @ Dec. 04 2007,06:31)]INF:

Sorry to hear about your difficulties. #I can't copy that fast either and I usually camp on a calling stations until I get their call. #Sometimes I listen for their exchange also. #Then I will answer their call. #I have returned the exchange as slow as 7 wpm. #Sometimes they send "agn". #I figure they are having to listen with their ear and not use a computer. #
The best contesters always listen with their ears. The computer simply can't deal with the noise of a contest. Using a computer to decode really hurts the rate of those who are "running" a frequency.

Now if you do send at a speed dramatically different than what the operator is running, it will throw him/her a bit and they will ask for a repeat. They have to "readjust" their brain, so to speak, when the speed difference is great.

[kl7aj]

The first half was a washout, but by Saturday Night, things were hopping. Actually worked the East Coast!

[k0cmh]

UZE and all others,

Yes, I know that the really good contesters don't use a decoding program. #So I guess I should not have said that, since it appears to be a "cheap shot".

Sorry to all involved.

A change in speed throws me off also, even at my poor 18 - 20 wpm (yep, I used to quote my speed as 15 but lately I have been able to handle up to 20 on the receive end. #Slowly but surely . . .)

But I really was trying to help out INF and was hoping he did not get burnt out on contesting. #I know it is not everyone's cup of tea, and is not my favorite Ham activity, but it can be fun.

Some day when my copy speed gets faster, I will be able to snag more contacts.

In one contest I though I would do the other "slower" CW operators a favor and found a hole in the band and started calling at 10 wpm. #Big mistake. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/laugh.gif # I had to many replies at 25 and 30 wpm (this is back when I was pushing for 12 wmp). #I had to keep asking "agn" over and over until I could get their call down. #Then I would miss some of the exchange. #So I have given that up until I can get my copy speed up to "contest snuff".

And I don't feel bad about not calling. #Contesting is a very different animal from casual QSOing and rag chewing. #I am kind of on a "learner's permit" when running with the big boys. #

So I listen until I get the call and exchange down, then reply with my paddles at as close to the sending speed as I can match (top for me with the paddles is a little over 25 #-- wish I could copy there).

Oh well, I still enjoy contests, but as you all can tell, I don't work at it real hard. #I like giving out the points.

On the SSB side of things, I really like to hear "thanks for Missouri". #Then I know I did someone some good. #

And again, sorry for the poorly worded comment about contesters and computers.