[RMVHF] Have fun operating or contesting

Sat Aug 9 00:12:00 MDT 2008

Glenn, K0BO:

I think the others have covered most of it but let me see if I can add two cents worth.  

The main thing regarding contests or other vhf or hf ham radio activities is for the newcomer to get on the air, find some activities you think you might enjoy, and have some fun with all your new radio privileges and equipment purchased.  There are many neat activities out there in ham radio land, something that will interest most everyone whether or not its FM, SSB, CW, RTTY, VHF, HF or satellite, building radios, antennas, helping in emergency communications, or enjoying Field Day with a radio club.  Theres a lot of activities and a lot of advocates for each of them.  But, the most important thing for a newbie to do when he first gets on is to TURN on the radio and make some contacts.  Yes, there are some procedures but listen to a few on air conversations and try to match some of what the others are doing.  On HF, most standard QSOs (not contest contacts) relate signal report, QTH (location), and name for starters.  Then they get into the weather in the area and what kind of rig your running.  Doesn't hurt to tell the other guy that you are new on the air and its the first time you've talked to someone in that state or town, etc.  On VHF, one of the important items given out is the grid square, and you are in DM79, the Denver area.

If you get on for a contest, find the rules on the internet by doing a google search on the contest name and read them over;  you don't have to memorize the rules but just get confortable with the nature of the contest, especially what the exchange is (signal reports, name, state, number of QSO, etc. depending on the contest requirments).  No rule police are going to show up at your door and demand to see your license if you make some mistakes.  The rules used to be easier and less complex - but, people more and more these days want to cover every possible case, it seems.   But, for the casual operator who wants to get on and pass out a few QSOs, don't worry - - what everyone wants to do is log another station for points in the contest.  For a contest contact, brevity is good;  get your exchange information over to the other guy quickly, put his info in your log, and move on to the next contact since most contesters are trying to log the most contacts they can within the contest time frame.

Most people don't have contest logging software at the outset;  and, you don't have to rush into buying some software until you are ready.  Using a computer with contest software is pretty neat, however.  There are even some free contest software out there - check on the internet.  And, you may be able to download the contest log form or even the contest's software from the contest administrator's website.  Or, just make up a form on a piece of paper with the essentials where you can log the contacts.     As someone mentioned, if you just want to make some casual contacts in a contest try to make about 5  so contest administrators can see that your callsign was logged by others and that it isn't an error.  Sure, you can put the contacts in your log and not send the information in to the contest administrators;  it won't hurt the other contesters scores.  One of the value of contests is that you have opportunities to accumulate a lot of grids, counties, states, or even countries for various achievement awards.

If you have HF, a great contest is coming up that you might enjoy:  North American SSB QSO Party on Saturday, August 16 starting at noon.  The only exchange is your name and state.  Set yourself a goal of trying to work at least 25, 50 or 100 stations...if you can exceed your goal, so much the better.  Find a loud station and write down his callsign on a sheet of scrap paper;  listen to him make a few contacts with others.  Write down his exchange.  When you get the rythem, give the guy a call, collect his information, and give yours.  Once he confirms the contact, you can move on to the next station and do it again.  Do a few of those and will be easier each time.  You'll be on your way!

So, welcome to radio, get active, and have some FUN - it sure beats having to mow the lawn or watch tv on a Saturday afternoon and it helps to forget about going back to work on Monday.

73 Ken, W0ETT
One of the RMVHF 2m Monday Night Net Controls and
a member of Grand Mesa Contesters of CO.

> Date: Thu, 7 Aug 2008 00:39:18 -0600
> From: wunmilcom at vambo.org
> To: w0ld at pcisys.net
> Subject: Re: [RMVHF] Possible solution
> CC: rmvhf at rmvhf.org
> 
> w0ld wrote:
> <snip>
> > 
> > I would appreciate your comments as we begin to discuss this as a VUAC
> > advisory group.
> > 
> As kind of a newbee to ham radio in general, watching all the 
> discussions on this mailist over the last month about contesting, rule 
> interpretations and v/uhf etiquette and it's complexities have scared me 
> away from being very active this last weekend. I totally understand how 
> some people take this hobby much more serious then me but for me, (until 
> I really get my feet wet) I only would like to make some contacts. Not 
> really for competitive point but to see what I can hit.
> 
> One of the things that I'm still a bit confused about is if I could 
> enjoy being a part of the contest by making QSOs and simply logging them 
> in my station log or must I submit them to the contesting agency for 
> fear of wasting other serious operator's time logging a bogus contact if 
> I don't submit my logs?
> 
> Thank you for your time.
> 
> Glenn Valenta   K0BO
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> Rmvhf at rmvhf.org
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