Amateur radio contesting is a competition in the transmission and reception of radio signals. The goal is to connect as many stations as possible on the designated frequencies and earn points. Contests are organized on different bands and in different modes, including telegraphy (CW – morzeovka), percent determined by PA power and antenna quality " (SSB), digital modpv and satellite connections. Contestants use various techniques and tactics to increase their scores. Contesting is popular in the ham radio community and is considered a fun and challenging way to improve your radio communication skills.. If you are starting contesting, be sure to see how to do it!
If you use SDR v N1MM+ window, the Alt + Q key combination retunes the transceiver to the CQ frequency. The CQ button also allows you to find the five recommended frequencies on the CQ. These frequencies are calculated based on the activity in the spectrum over the last 60 seconds. This way you can quickly find the frequency on the CQ without tuning.
CQ frequencies on SDR in N1MM +Mast with antennas for HF and VHF at OM0AAJ
This is the most common mistake. For example, if you don't have space options on antenna at 160m, so with a shortened antenna you can't compete with stations that use full-size antennas.
If you do not have suitable conditions in your home environment, the possibility is to transmit from a temporary post (usually on VHF, English abbreviation VHF) or joining forces with another radio amateur or club, who has such conditions.
VHF contest is a competition, which focuses on broadcasting on the VHF frequency band. The goal of the competition is to establish as many connections as possible with other radio amateurs on the given band in a limited time. VHF contests are popular because signals on these bands travel relatively short distances, and thus enable a large number of connections to be established quickly and efficiently. In addition, they are ideal for experimenting with antennas and for testing the performance of broadcast equipment.
Understanding the conditions of the contest is alpha and omega. In addition to competing stations, it can happen, that you also establish a connection with a non-competitive station. What in that case? Or I can use a DX cluster?
Older results give a picture of how many connections, on which bands or how many multipliers can be done. This is how you prepare the contest strategy.
A smaller number of connections can also be written on paper. However, the computer log allows you to use a number of functions - checking for duplicate connections, DX cluster, caller, a database of brands and data, bandmapu, SDR etc.. Last but not least, using a computer log will also save you time and effort when rewriting the connection, as most race organizers require electronic logbooks..
Dissemination conditions can significantly affect the achieved result and the experience of the contest. Whether it is tropospheric ducts or changes caused by solar activity, so even experienced contestants try to make the most of this phenomenon.
For example, try online prediction on HF https://www.voacap.com/hf/ This will show the probability and expected signal strength depending on the band and time of day. For example, you will be able to time the multipliers in the world at the right time.
In the higher bands, it is advantageous to see the connection map in real time https://www.dxmaps.com/spots/mapg.php?Lan=E Even in big races, a country is often represented by a single station and in a flood of spots from a DX cluster it can happen, that you overlook it. The map view is a convenient alternative to this view as well as a guide to the direction of the antennas (if you have a directional antenna like yagi, quad, moxon or others).
You can't avoid this with longer contests. Why don't I drink sugary drinks and cookies at contests? Every meal has a certain glycemic index, which causes the body to respond to it, what we eat. After eating something sweet, the body reacts violently, but the response is usually strong. Therefore, it is better not to fluctuate blood sugar levels. Suitable are, for example, nuts and pure water.
The usual statement is, that contests are without runes, thus giving challenges, they can't win. Yes, this is a generally correct statement. But imagine, that in a world contest at 160m with QRP and a shortened antenna, you will build a strategy on that. The result will be, that you spend a lot of time on the call and few will call you. Also, most races use some form of multiplier. You have no warranty with RUN, that you can also get a multiplier. There are stations, who are aware of, that they represent a rarer multiplier and want to enjoy pile-ups. They only show up for a short time and only go on challenge. If you also go RUN, you don't even have to know about their presence on the band.
Usually the most effective way is a combination of both methods, where the ratio of time between the two modes is given by the signal strength, what you can produce. If you produce a strong signal, you can devote more time to RUN mode, if your signal is weaker, will be more effective SEARCH&POUNCE.
Some of the mistakes, which arise are the result of a bad record. For example, 0K1FAJ is not the same as OK1FAJ. Most electronic journals contain a database, which checks the accuracy of the data - use it!
Databases can contain not only tags, but also locators, names, periods, the dates of issue of the first concession and the like.
What is not written, does not count - the entry also includes sending the log in the correct format and deadline.
I remember, that one novice operator wanted to register an SN2 station as SP2 because "SP is Poland". To, that the brand sounds abnormal is no exception. In races such as radiostanica SDR it is even an advantage.
If you prefer, record audio from the race. It's also a way to find mistakes or improve by listening again.
Several videos from the amateur radio contest to practice listening
It is also possible to listen to the ability to listen on various trainers (mostly CW) or by listening and watching the operation of other stations, for example, on YouTube.
Regular participation in contests is irreplaceable. Your brand will become known to other contestants and the ability to understand the signal in the interference will improve. This will also speed up operation.
Winning at all costs is important? What's up?, that the race conditions set the power at 100W and your final stage gives 400W? No one will find out…. The amateur radio always and under all circumstances complies with the permit conditions and all other obligations. It's a matter of his honor!
You don't need tens of thousands of equipment to start contesting. Milan OK1IF is proof, that you can contest at a very high level even with simple and cheap equipment. Only later, after gaining more experience, will you be able to decide what you are innovating.
