Stuart Hayes, VE3RGO, is living proof that you don’t need a "big gun" station to thrive in the world of amateur radio contesting. As a "small pistol" operator with modest equipment, Stuart shares how resourcefulness, persistence, and club camaraderie can lead to big wins and rewarding experiences. Despite having a simple setup, Stuart’s commitment to learning and competing has earned him remarkable contesting achievements. A central theme of this conversation is Stuart's deep connection to the Kitchener-Waterloo Amateur Radio Club—a century-strong community that embraces all aspects of ham radio and fosters a supportive environment for operators at every level. Whether it’s running a virtual licensing course or encouraging members to dive into state QSO parties, the club’s leadership excels at turning newcomers into lifelong enthusiasts. Stuart’s journey, from QRP beginnings to national contest wins, illustrates how participation and a willingness to try can make contesting a fun and attainable goal. His story also highlights how activities like Parks on the Air (POTA) provide valuable practice for handling pileups and improving operating skills. Join the conversation and let us know about your contesting experiences! And don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio for more inspiring stories from the amateur radio community.
Enjoyed this video. Stuart and I have a similar path to the hobby, I’ve only been licensed since 2020. I also run a modest station, 100 watts into either a hex beam or an EFHW. I second the narration from @VE3RGO, as a new operator, give it a go. Just do a look ahead for the contest rules and exchange so you’re ready to go. You may be surprised by your results. The club contesting activity at KWARC sounds like a great time. I am a member of two local clubs, neither seems to have a contesting component. Maybe time to put out some feelers. (Thanks for the QSOs Stuart, my log shows two contest contacts and one POTA). 73 cal VE6CLG
Great interview... lots of QSOs with Stuart in the log... Stuart VE9CF New Brunswick https://www.outnaboot.ca
I've been a little pistol for most of my ham life except 1990-1998 which I had an amp. Low power, restricted antennas and operating time that most people answer the higher power stations instead of the weaker signals.Us little pistols don't stand a chance in these dx-peditions. Even when the dx operators say they will listen for the little guy. I don't jump in on these dx-pedtions because they are not fair. The used to go by call areas, but not anymore, and that's one reason we don't stand a chance. Because the little guys would be heard if they would go by call areas and announce what parts of the world they are working, so most times we don't stand much of a chance. Seems funny when you hear these big signals yelling their call signs and their signals are 20 over S 9 their not 1.5 kw, you know darn well their more than the legal limit.
Nice interview! I like competing in the same category,low power and a limited antenna (EFHW). I'm looking forward to competing with Stuart. It's fun watching other competing stations on the Contest Online ScoreBoard and trying to keep up.
In reading your post, I was pretty much able to deduce that you operate primarily, if not entirely SSB at QRP levels. IMHO, and you can take it with a grain of salt, by default, you kind of place yourself at a competitive disadvantage, not so much by limiting yourself to flea power, but rather by throwing SSB into the mix. I've operated CW almost entirely for over four decades, using 100 watts or less and in the vast majority of cases, I was able to hang right in with the big guns and work those rare catches. No, the DX station wasn't always LOUD but I knew that as long as I was able to hear them, as well as understand their operating pattern,(s) more often than not, I was able to snag them. A vertical antenna, utilizing a less than optimal radial system is all I ever used when I was still living in my parents home. Again, it wasn't the lower power levels that limited me from successfully working a lot these stations but rather a reasonable understanding of the limits of efficiency as it applies to the various modes that are available to the radio amateur. Working split is, of course, a great way for that rare DX station to keep the onslaught at bay and gives them a sense of sanity (however limited it may seem at times) that not everyone is calling them on their frequency. Obviously, you can accomplish split operation with a DX station on SSB but operating split on CW during a pileup is pure joy by comparison and you'll be able to increase your odds of snagging that station, not only because you're using a far more efficient mode that is less dependent on power but one that, as you're fully aware, takes up just a narrow slice of the radio spectrum and does a substantially better job of handling close in signals (using the appropriate filter, of course) more efficiently than SSB ever could. "What if I despise the very existence of CW, either because I don't like it or just aren't very proficient with it? What you do is get yourself a CW "reader" in whatever form they come in these days (I'm guessing software) and you've solved that issue. You've now opened up a whole new world for yourself and you'll no longer be distracted by a million voice signals competing for one rare DX catch unless, of course, you don't mind having a bunch of people shouting at you. Lol! Give it a try, if you haven't already.
Dear sir...I have ALL the ham radio software, code readers,dx gray line, all the information available to hams. Last night when the v73 was on 30 meters, his signal went from an s7 to 10 over during his grey line and I called and called and called in spot where it was clear and never came back. I checked the so-called reverse beacon and my signal was good in that area and checked with the SDR sites in those areas and my signal was great. It's only human nature to answer the station that has booming signal than to answer a signal that is an s2. If you were calling CQ and a dozen came back to you and one of the dozen called you with a s2 signal, would you answer the weaker one first? Now be honest!
