10 Habits of Winning Contesters: The Contest Crew

AD4ZU · May 13, 2024

K7JQ said: ↑

"Has ham radio now become only contesting"? Seriously?
Whatever happened to Monday through Friday, the WARC bands, or a mode other than the contest's? And other than contests, there's little incentive to go on 160M. Very noisy, and the majority of hams have no room for an effective antenna of that size.

The manufacturers see all the activity during contests, and it gives them the incentive to make more and better radios. Be careful what you wish for.

Where does everybody else go? I'd take a look at the FT8 frequencies for your answer. Talk about having an "actual conversation"!
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Yeah no "conversations" when pushing buttons and relying on software. Amen

AD4ZU · May 14, 2024

K7JQ said: ↑

Whereas my main operation is contesting, I always enjoy a meaningful CW/SSB ragchew on the weekdays, and a lot of them are on the WARC bands! However, in my 65 years in ham radio, I do find that it’s harder to pull words out of people, seemingly since the advent of the PC and cellphone…emailing and texting. I do agree with you that verbal communication has become rare in today’s society.

Personally, I wouldn’t buy a $12K radio…not in my budget…but it is desirable to those who can afford it, for whatever reason. But a $3-4K radio is within reason for many, depending on them needing the bells and whistles those radios provide. Having had many (fairly expensive) radios in the past, I now contest with two IC-7300’s. Their performance and ergonomics fit my needs. Others might need more ‘stuff’ packed into their choice of radios. The manufacturers provide something for everyone, and contest activity helps spur on their R&D.

FT8? I tried it, found point-and-click computer-to-computer QSO’s terribly boring, and now the program is wiped off my computer. But when you listen to the bands, that seems to be where the action is. I don’t understand it, but I guess it goes back to my first paragraph comments. Contests are also a short exchange of information, but at least you have to humanly hear the other station, and respond in kind.

Like any other hobby, new hams will go through a learning process as they delve further into the hobby. I doubt if they would be “confused” by contests, and they would certainly not think “that’s all there is”. There’s so many other facets and interests in ham radio that they’d eventually find their niche as they explore.

73, Bob K 7JQ
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100% agree

AD4ZU · May 14, 2024

100% agree

AD4ZU · May 14, 2024

W8AAZ said: ↑

My gut feeling has always been that entering a major contest with a just modest ham station is like entering a Nascar race with a Toyota Celica. You can do it for fun don't expect to win something, but hey, you never know LOL.
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I already commented on this...but QRZ isn't showing it.

VE9CZ · Jul 15, 2024

I have a very modest station, 100 watts and a wire (EFHW) at 30 ft. I've managed to place in the top ten in my class many times. It's just a matter of choosing the right contest and having fun.
Once the weekend is over I'm back to rag chewing and meaningful QSO's.

10 Habits of Winning Contesters: The Contest Crew

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