We start with contesting - the second part
Contest strategy and planning
I originally considered for the second part of the antenna, but since the use of a particular antenna depends on the type of contest, location and method of operation, I "replanned" her focus. What is so important about strategy and planning, that it is in front of the antennas?
A good example is Formula 1 – teams try to construct single-seaters in such a way, to be as fast as possible. But the circuit in Monza is completely different from city circuits - while on one, engine performance is important, on others aerodynamics or braking system. An excellent engine with lousy aerodynamics is probably a bad currency for racing. The number of pit stops also decides the result, used tires etc., just many factors. And everyone wants to win. Decisions, what to improve or change are part of planning and strategy. We will try to summarize a few factors, which may not be a "miracle ointment" for winning radio amateur races, but perhaps they won't even contribute to their loss.
Determination of the contest goal
One article in Amateur Radio, which began "Once upon a time there was a radio club and he said to himself, that he will be good at VKV". Participate in all contests, which are listed is unfeasible. They didn't take the heels out of the ham shack. Choose an area, for which you have prerequisites - technical, operator, financial, spatial - and above all, you enjoy it. The need to constantly improve equipment or antennas from contest to contest cannot be done without enthusiasm. And it is necessary to improve, the competition is not idle!
Homemade ones are the easiest, local SSB race in the 80m band. They require no knowledge of a foreign language or telegraphy, and with relatively simple equipment good results can be obtained from almost any QTH.
Ťažšie sú menšie VHF preteky ako napríklad Bandpass filters alebo QRP contest. It is not possible to improve on VKV without a significant interest in the technique or having someone, who will help with this area. A significant factor influencing the result is QTH. Since this race does not require complex equipment, it is possible to use several interesting dimensions. The background is also a big plus when choosing a quota, for example, connectivity to the electrical distribution network or the possibility of refreshments. At least the ability to establish a contest connection in English is required, knowledge of telegraphy is an advantage.
International KV race
VKV race
VHF subregions, Record days or MW races offer huge opportunities for improvement, therefore, they require technical expertise. The path leads through the design of the preamplifier, final stage, antenna system and various accessories. With the improvement of the technical part of the station, operator skills such as tuning should go hand in hand, shooting/switching antennas, knowledge of the effects on propagation conditions, foreign languages etc.
Contest preparation
It begins with a detailed study of the race conditions and analysis of what is important for the result. Many races use the so-called. multiplier, which is the coefficient, by which the points for the connection are multiplied. Often the number of multipliers is more critical than the number of connections.
The choice of a specific type of antenna also depends on the analysis. In large VHF races, it is an advantage to have other fixed directional systems in addition to the most profitable rotatable antenna system, albeit with less profit. If a station calls from the side or behind, there is no need to rotate the entire system, but switch to another antenna in an instant. Stations with large outputs use the possibility of transmitting to all antennas at once (thus they are heard over a larger area) and for reception they choose an antenna according to the calling stations. Popular and high-quality antennas are yagins according to DL6WU, DJ9BV, DK7ZB, M2 a quady DL7KM či GW4CQT.
If the conditions of the race do not stipulate otherwise, use the power as much as you can. The exception is your own decision to choose a category with a lower performance.
The 40m band is already a band, for which a directional antenna is feasible. Such an antenna, even if firmly directed in the "nutritional" direction, it is a great benefit. For higher bands, contestants use directional rotatable antennas. In domestic conditions, multi-band antennas are popular, e.g.. trapovaný tribander 20-15-10m vyjde čosi nad 10-tisíc Sk. However, the price of the rotator and mast must be added to the price.
The type of antenna and especially its height above the ground has an effect on the effect on the vertical radiation angle. The lower the angle, thus, the reflection of the signal from the ionosphere is at a greater distance, and the signal thus spans long distances more easily. In the 10m band, however, it is an advantage to supplement 5- and a multi-element antenna (on an intercontinental QSO) an even smaller antenna with a higher radiation angle (for QSOs around Europe).
Antennas for contesting should be the best you can implement in your QTH. Racing with an insufficient antenna is similar to driving a Trabant in Formula One 1.
Strategy
The knowledge mentioned above is primarily of a technical nature and is undoubtedly part of the contest strategy. They will be used to their full potential only in heavy use. The use of operator skills is the second part of the strategy.
There is a lot of discussion about this, whether it is more appropriate to search for stations or call a challenge. The truth will probably be like this, that a mix of both operator techniques is optimal and that the immediate ability of the operator to react to the situation on the band is more important.
The operator should be comfortable on the air. It means a supply of drinks and food, in VHF operation from both dimensions and heat. Factors, which could distract him (run TV in the shack, several people in the chess, etc.) it is better to exclude - if possible.
Ability to receive weak signals, or signals in interference can be trained by operating on the bands. Along with that, the operator also gains security when broadcasting, its operation gains speed and efficiency. People like to call the station, on which to recognize them, that he is a good operator and cool. Apparently, it emits 100W of VF power plus something immeasurable in addition, and that definitely.
Deployment, motivation
In my opinion, the most important thing for 95% contesmanov. The constant improvement of the competition places demands on the improvement of the antenna system, operator skills or other equipment. Mastering it means gritting your teeth many times…. who can last, succeeds.
Coping with several hours of racing in full effort will test the endurance of the operator. Constant tuning, deciphering the signs, calling a challenge, rotating the antennas so, not to lose a point is difficult. But by regularly participating in races, the operator's mental and physical capabilities improve.
In order to be able to endure the race in full effort, motivation is needed. If you choose the destination appropriately before the race, you have great hope to overcome difficulties. It could be achieving a better result than a year ago, comparison with a radio amateur in the neighborhood or reaching the podium. Even better is a long-term goal, since contesting is a summary of operator, tactical and technical skills. And especially the improvement of technical equipment is a long-term matter.
Glossary
ham shack – radio amateur corner
electrical distribution network - 230V alternating voltage network, resp. three-phase network
QRP – operation with power up to 5W
final stage – power amplifier
multiplier - coefficient, by which the number of points achieved for connections is multiplied, often significantly improves the result
vertical radiation angle - simplified, it is the angle between the direction, to which the antenna radiates most effectively and the ground plane
Yaesu, Kenwood, Ten-Tec, Icom - manufacturers of amateur radio equipment
Next time: antennas for contesting
