WPX Contest this weekend

[K3STX]

This weekend is the CQ magazine WPX (Worked All Prefixes) CW contest. Runs 48 hr from 0000 UTC Sat through 2359 UTC Sunday. Anyone can work anyone for points (USA to USA is only one point, USA to DX is more depending on the and band). For a "multiplier" you add up all the different prefixes worked, like K3, WJ8, OE6, JA9, etc...

There will be some super-big DX stations on, and it is a good way to build up your DXCC total on any/all bands.

All you have to send is an RST and sequential serial number (like 599 014). (Hint: pretty much everyone is 599, even if you barely hear them!)

I know there are lots of contest haters, but there will be lots of stations on and lots of good DX.

Heer is a link to a site listing some of the DX stations planning to operate:
NG3K Contest Operations (http://ng3k.com/Misc/wpxc2005.html)

It is fun, hope to see you on for that all-important K3 multiplier!

paul

[KC7UP]

Paul I love this contest but conditions sure better improve or I will be forced to do some other activity. I surely would hate for it to be using a wheelbarrow waiting for me.
Curt

[ka9inv]

I'd do it if the bands weren't trashed and if my CW capabilities were above 10wpm.... hehe. Anyone think I could get away with trying to go 20wpm, since it's such a simple exchange?

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (ka9inv @ May 26 2005,12:13)]I'd do it if the bands weren't trashed and if my CW capabilities were above 10wpm.... hehe. Anyone think I could get away with trying to go 20wpm, since it's such a simple exchange?
Go for it! #In fact, if you're at it for the full contest allowance of time, by the end of this weekend, 20WPM will be a snail's pace for you. #You'll probably feel that way after 5 hours. #But remember that contest speed and ragchew speed are two entirely different entities. #But increased contest speed will increase your confidence to learn ragchew speed.

Though this isn't one of my favorite events, I like to hand out a few contacts. Unfortunately, my participation will probably be limited to Friday evening, due to family gatherings on both Saturday and Sunday.

[K3STX]

Don't worry too much about the speed. If a guy is "running" on a frequency, you can have plenty of time to pick out his call. Since the serial numbers increase sequentially, you can "check-off" the numbers till he works you.

The high bands are not good, but the low bands are OK. In fact, I'm not so sure 20 M is really that bad, as last night at 0230 UTC it was still wide open to Northern Europe.

I am going primarily for my 80 M DXCC totals, so sunspots don't really matter much. Now that CME that might arrive on Saturday is another story.

Good luck ya'll.

paul

[WA3KYY]

Oh darn! #A long weekend where I can recover from staying up late for the contest by sleeping in on Monday and a CME is predicted for Saturday? #I was looking forward to what I could do in Single-Op Low Wires catergory. Well I guess I can always point my 6M beam north for the auroral openings http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

73,
Mike WA3KYY

PS: Just checked on Spaceweather.com, the event is not a certainty and is expected to be mild compared to the last one so the low bands might come through after all.

[KC0W]

Our contest club will be in it...........Call is WWØWWW.

Now there is a WPX call if there ever was one!!!


Tom kcØw

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (kc0w @ May 26 2005,15:19)]Our contest club will be in it...........Call is WWØWWW.

Now there is a WPX call if there ever was one!!!


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom kcØw
Pure multi!

[K9STH]

Just be sure to use your NARROW CW receiving filter. There are going to be stations about every 200 Hz. Also, please learn how to accurately "zero beat". If you aren't "right on" the station that you are calling, someone else may come back to you that you aren't even hearing.

Using your SSB filter during a CW contest makes for a lot of work on your part. Stations that you will "swear" are QRMing each other really don't even hear each other due to use of good, narrow, filters.

Glen, K9STH

[KF0RT]

A PDF copy of the rules is here (http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/2005WPXRULES.pdf).

And like Paul mentioned, callsign prefixes are multipliers, so a good time to pick up states for WAS, too. I figure KFØ has to be at least as rare as 6Y5!

Anyone got a good recommendation for a WPX logging program?

73, Rob

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ May 26 2005,18:07)]A PDF copy of the rules is #here (http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/2005WPXRULES.pdf).

And like Paul mentioned, callsign prefixes are multipliers, so a good time to pick up states for WAS, too. #I figure KFØ has to be at least as rare as 6Y5!

Anyone got a good recommendation for a WPX logging program?

73, Rob
Try N3FJP software.

I use his loggers for all contests. I like them so much, I registered. One cool feature is stateside contests have a color coded map availble to highlight multipliers. For ARRL tests, it's divided into Sections for some, states for others. For state QSO parties, counties you work get highlighted.

[KC0W]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ May 26 2005,21:07)]Anyone got a good recommendation for a WPX logging program?
I have tried them all, that is no joke!!

I keep on going back to WriteLog & N3FJP time after time. Many contesters use the multitude of DOS contesting programs out there. SD is a good free DOS software.

Anyway, WriteLog has a bit of a learning curve but will do everything except wash your dishes. N3FJP is a GREAT program that is super easy to contest with. It's price is a real bargain too.

Not all programs will work with your standard DB-9 cable for CW. Some programs will assign different pins out. Some programs send better sounding CW than others...........Experimentation is the key.


Tom kcØw

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (KF0RT @ May 26 2005,15:07)]A PDF copy of the rules is #here (http://home.woh.rr.com/wpx/2005WPXRULES.pdf).

And like Paul mentioned, callsign prefixes are multipliers, so a good time to pick up states for WAS, too. #I figure KFØ has to be at least as rare as 6Y5!

Anyone got a good recommendation for a WPX logging program?

73, Rob
I'm using N1MM, a great contest logging program and free as well. A little late in the game if you have not used it before but it will probably work well if you ignore the many bells and whistles that are contest specific this go 'round.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[K3STX]

I too use N1MM. It is super simple to use and a free download. I suspect if you download it today and don't try to make is do the CW sending for you (simply use it as a logging program) you would be able to use it tonight. It is really easy and I think prob. the best. I have used CT after "growing up" on N1MM and can't see how anyone can tolerate CT.

Of course, the beauty of any logger is to have it send the exchanges for you, but that requires (a pretty easy) keying interface between your rig and a serial port on your computer. It is easy to do, but if you've never done it before requires some thinking (actually, only a serial port cable that plugs into the computer, a simple "keying interface consisting of a couple of transistors and resistors, and two pieces of wire (or coax) going to your "straight key" input to your rig. N1MM does it's own keying' with the keying interface in place when you hit the "F1" key on your keyboard, it sends a signal to your radio (like your straight key) and out of your rig comes "CW DE K3STX TEST" or whatever your F1 message is. F4 will send the other guys call (that you just typed into the "callsign" field" and F2 will send "599 001" or whatever the exchange is. It is great. Gives you a chance to think instead of use your fingers for sending CW all the time.

Give N1MM Logger a shot, it is a free download.

paul

[KC7UP]

I do not use my program (N3FJP) to send my CW. My radio's do not have computer capability. They are too old.
Curt

[WA3KYY]

Quote[/b] (KC7UP @ May 27 2005,09:38)]I do not use my program (N3FJP) to send my CW. My radio's do not have computer capability. They are too old.
Curt
You don't need a computer interface on the radio, just a keyjack which I know your radio has. The simple circuit that connects to the computer is just a transitor switch that replaces the key contacts in your straight key. A 2N2222 or equivalent and a 10K resistor is all it takes. You can connect to either a serial or parallel port on the computer to two pins. The circuit is in the help file of all the contest loggers. You can even wire your straight key in parallel and use it when needed to send something not handled by the logging program. If you use an external keyer that plugs into the keyjack of your radio, you could use that in parallel too.

73,
Mike WA3KYY

[K3STX]

I was going to ditto mikes comments. I did all this with a TS-520S (circa. 1975 radio, no computer control then!) and it worked great. I do indeed have my keyer wired in "in parallel" to send by hand too. Unless you want to get fancy (change frequency, RIT, pick CW filters, etc. from keyboard), the only advantage of computer control for me is auto logging of the frequency.

A diagram of an easy to build interface is in the N1MM Logger manual.

paul

[N8CPA]

Nope, nope, NO! No plastic pounding for me--no way!

In a CW contest, I just use the computer for logging and to keep me away from dupes. I use my ears and brain to decode, regardless of speed. When I send a call sign, I use an iambic key---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----but then, I immediately press the numberpad on the keyer to automaticllay increment the SN and send the rest of the exchange. So, okay, according to old contest rules, I still cheat. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif