Randy Thompson, K5ZD, is fresh off logging over 6,000 QSOs in the World Wide Award program and brings serious—and seriously helpful—advice for anyone looking to sharpen their contesting skills. Joined by Chris Hurlbut, KL9A, this episode of Contest Crew dives deep into how operators can break through pile-ups, improve their rate, and avoid common pitfalls. Randy doesn’t hold back as he shares his observations from the front lines of massive pile-ups, offering tips like calling off-frequency, timing your calls strategically, and sending your call only once (seriously—just once!). His candid feedback, bordering on venting, gets a playful counterpoint from Chris, who offers a virtual hug to lighten the mood. Together, they keep the conversation engaging, blending sharp contesting insights with humor. Chris brings his own seasoned perspective, recalling stories of operators like KR2Q who excel with minimal power, and adds tips for navigating two simultaneous pile-ups. From recognizing your call when it’s returned to setting up crisp, clear audio for phone operations, this episode is packed with practical advice for both new and experienced contesters. By the end, Randy’s “therapy session” turns into an insightful guide for anyone looking to up their game in ham radio contests. Join the conversation, and don’t forget to subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio for more episodes like this!
Good info. Would have been good if you had of touched on the art of working split and what part of the spread to send your call. I like working the top or bottom end of the split range as the QRM is only on "one side" of your tx freq. OR listen for a 59 (599) being sent TO the DX and camp on that freq knowing it will be heard by the DX station. Good DX
One thing that drives me crazy is when someone makes a contact. then ask the operator for his call sign!! YOU SHOULD KNOW HIS CALL SIGN BEFORE YOU CALL!!!!
Hmm.. I feel that pileups are caused by a lack of "Air Traffic Control." The station being called should moderate better and the stations calling be more considerate. It's not the number of QSO's - but the quality of establishing them. Better operating etiquette all around would be most welcome.
sometimes you hear someone for quite a while but you can't quite get the call completely but could ask them to say it slower when you get their attention. Ive read the etiquete rules but sometimes you can vary a bit.
Not in a contest. I highly disagree. When stations are doing search and pounce, I dont think so. The station that says QRZ `d 10 times without saying their call are wasting others time, if you are working a contest camping out on said frequency, GIVE YOUR CALL so that we can type it into our logging program while you are working a station, atleast give it on every 3 -4 QRZ`s, our time is just as important as yours is. That drives me crazy ! In everyday operation, yes, listen for a bit before you call.
Great question! Just working "5-Up" on huge pileups doesn't cut it. There should guidance to the art of working split.
My pet contest peeves: (also applicable for QSO parties, special event stations, POTA activators, etc.) Not clearly IDing often enough. "Often enough" depends upon the situation. If you're running a frequency and have a pile-up waiting to work you, then every 3rd or 4th contact is probably often enough. But, if you take the time to say "QRZed?", you should be giving your callsign instead, and giving it phonetically every other time. If you're calling "CQ contest", then you should be giving your callsign PHONETICALLY every time you make that call, you should not be saying "CQ contest, QRZed?" (I can't believe how many times I hear this!) Note my emphasis on the need to give your call phonetically. Believe it or not, it's hard for some people to distinguish between B C D E G P T V Z, or A J K, or M and N, or Q and U, or I and Y, or F and S, or S and X (Gee, maybe that's why phonetics were invented!). This is especially true when there is QRM, or when conditions are less than ideal, and/or when it's spoken very rapidly in an accent that's different from what the listener is used to hearing. Usually, speaking a little more slowly and clearly is MUCH faster than mumbling your callsign at high speed. If you eliminate the need to repeat, you save time. This is true no matter how "famous" or well known of a contester you are, many contest participants are casual operators without any idea of who they are working.
I absolutely agree with KR3DX. My time is important too. My two biggest challenges are not hearing the call sign often enough, and discourteous callers who do not wait for the current caller to sign off before they call themselves. Or continue calling when a QSO is going on. Very rude to everyone. Listen. Thanks.
really great information!! I've used some of these techniques very successfully during the ARRL DX International contest and even hunting POTA. Thanks so much for sharing your insights. It really helped! 73 de WA4CB - Doug
