we need a good kids contest

I like W9KNI's view on amps. It really does depend on what you want to do.

The *only* reason I consider an antenna better than the amp is because not only does it increase your apparent output power, it increases the apparent signal strength as well.

I don't care. My goal is to get the honor roll running 100W/Dipole, and I'm well past halfway there. I'm nearing 200 (6 more to got now that I have Cocos and Ducie , and the march DXpeditions and the casual DX holidays should bring me to that count.

Once the sunspot cycle starts kicking up — I think we're going to start seeing changes in 15M and possibly 12 later in this year — I should be doing even better!

One more note on amps vs. antennas: Amps are NOT limited by deed restrictions, covenents, or zoning laws, etc. Not only that, but up to about 800W, you can actually go by the "1 dollar per watt" rule. An antenna giving you 9 db of gain will actually cost slightly more to buy, put up, and maintain.

73, de Brennen KI4PRK age 13

 

Brennen said it.

To be honest though, I am working on a contest shack (relative terms, a 3el. beam, 40m ground plane, and big wire antenna) at my grandparents farm. That is a situation where I will most likely use an amp. I might borrow one from my uncle, who doesn't use his because of how close the antenna is to the house.

 

That's not a contest shack, it's a regular ham shack. You should see what the people who win the contests use.


Look at pictures of K9NS's shack, look him up on qrz and go to his website with pictures. Or K1AR, N4PN...

 

I know, but I like to think of it as a contest shack.

The mentality is everything.

 

So would I It seems to make me break pileups quicker if I pictuer that hot-dog on the end of my coax as a 6 el 4/4 stack up 200ft.

It could just be me

 

why rent ???????

many big gun and even little gun contesters would be glad to "emer in" fellow contesters

and if you need no elmering and are just looking for hardware to play with
that should be no problem as well

look for a contester in your area

email them and ask if you and a couple of your buddies can
either join their contest team
or use the station one week-end during a contest that the owner
normally does not play in

there is no need to develop another contest just for "kids"
unless that is your sole intent.

73
steve
KG5VK

 

wow the CQ WPX contest is coming to an end today and my shack had zero guests this week-end !

Are you youngsters (kids) all talk and zero real interests in contesting ?

73
steve
KG5VK

 

No, I just don't live in Louisiana.

I was active yesterday, and will be today.
Just not in Louisiana where you are.

 

Duncan,

Good I am thrilled to hear that you were QRV !

Lot of lighting here this morning some my antenna farm is "switched" to ground.

Have fun !

steve

ps any students in The Ark-La-Tex interested in contesting ?

 

I am at NX5M/K5NA/W5KFT most major contest weekends...

planning M/M in WPX CW from NX5M if anyone is interested.

Colin KU5B