Simple Multioperator Contesting subtitle: More POINTS for CADXA

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Increasing CADXA Contest Points

• Thru Simple Multi-Operator Participation
• 
  by Bob Epstein K8IA
• CADXA Contest Cheerleader

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)Profile of a successful
contester!

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Simple Multi-Operator ContestingWhat This
Presentation Isnt

• It isn't a program designed for the top tier
  contesters in the  club.
• It isn't a technical talk.
• It isn't a program focusing on BIG stations.

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Simple Multi-Operator ContestingWhat This
Presentation Is

• The main focus of the program will be to attempt
  to  interest the occasional/average club contest 
  participant and Dxers  in increasing his effort
  to gain the club more points in Club 
  Competition.

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Simple Multi-Operator ContestingWhat This
Presentation Is

• Simple Multi-Op station configurations will be
  covered, as well  as ways for the single-op
  participant to "step it up".
• More sophisticated  configurations (Multi-Two,
  for example) will be looked a as well.

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Simple Multi-Operator ContestingWhat This
Presentation Is

• Station owners will be encouraged to invite
  others to  participate in the contest fun as
  multi-op entities. Two CADXA station owners  have
  already indicated they will do this for CQWW SSB.
  Hopefully others will  follow.

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Simple Multi-Operator ContestingWhat This
Presentation Is

• Contest topics to be covered include rigs,
  antennas,  switching, interfaces, contest
  software, station ergonomics, operating 
  techniques, "tricks", experiments etc

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Simple Multi-operator ContestingCONTESTS!

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• But..its NOT just all about points
• Its about HAVING FUN!
• Its about SHARPENING OPERATOR SKILLS
• Its about TESTING STATION EFFICIENCY

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• AND, Its about contributing to the CADXA Club
  Score!

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• CQWW Single Op Entry Categories (HP, LP, QRP)
• Single Op All Band Unassisted SOAB
• Single Op All Band Assisted SOAB (A)
• Single Op, Single Band (Assisted or Unassisted)

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Simple Multi-Operator Contesting CQWW Multi-Op
Entry Categories

• Multi-Op One Xmtr aka Multi-Single (M-S)
• Multi-Op Two Xmtr aka Multi-Two (M-2)
• Multi-Op Multi Xmtr aka Multi Multi (M-M)

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Simple Multi-Operator Contesting

• For this presentation, we will concentrate on
  the Multi-Op entry categories.
• Why?
• Because it has the potential to get CADXA more
  POINTS and generate more member FUN!

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History of CADXA Club ScoresCQWW DX Contest

• 2002 48th Place of 56 total clubs
• 2003 14th Place of 47 total clubs
• 2004 18th Place of 47 total clubs
• 2005 7th Place of 49 total clubs
• 2006 15th Place of 60 total clubs
• 2007 16th Place of 52 total clubs
• VOODUDES are Huge Contributors

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For 2008 CQWW Contest we need more CADXA
participation, because

• The share from 3X5A will be less (2/7), as there
  may only be 2 CADXA ops going there, AA7A and
  K5VT.

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So What Do We Do?

• We can select Entry Categories that promote more
  points per hour operated. For example, All-Band
  instead of Single Band.
• We can extend casual All-Band entries to Multi-Op
  and more hrs.

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Multi-Op Scenario 1

• Suppose Paul, W8AEF really wants to contribute to
  the club score but cannot put in a full-time
  operation that weekend.
• What does Paul do?

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Multi-Op Scenario 1

• He invites some other people over to operate a
  Multi-Op category.
• And he has!!

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Multi-Op Scenario 1

• Pauls team will operate MOST (Multi-Op, Single
  Xmtr) in CQWW DX SSB Contest!
• And CADXA score will benefit!

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Multi-Op Scenario 2

• What if K8IA and N7RQ (aka N7AP) plan to do a M-2
  (aka Multi Two) Multi-Op Two Xmtr entry, but
  cant efficiently cover both positions all
  weekend?
• What do they do?

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Multi-Op Scenario 2

• They invite others to operate
• And they have!
• And CADXA score will benefit

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Single
Rules - CQWW

• 1) Only one transmitter and one band permitted
  during any 10-minute period.
• ExceptionOneand only oneother band maybe used
  during any 10-minute period ifand only ifthe
  station worked is a new multiplier.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Single
Rules - CQWW

• 2) Ten-minute periods aredefined as starting
  with the first logged QSO on a band.
• 3) Logs found in violationof the 10-minute rule
  will automaticallybe reclassified as M2.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Single
Rules - CQWW

• 4) If electronic loggingis used (Cabrillo), for
  each QSOthe run transmitter or multiplier
  transmitter must be indicated in the log.
• (Logging software will indicate this)

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Two Rules
- CQWW

• 1) A maximum of two transmitted signals at
  anytime on different bands. Both transmitters may
  work any and all stations. A station may only be
  worked once per band regardless of which
  transmitter is used.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Two Rules
- CQWW

• 2) Each transmitter may make amaximum of 8 band
  changes in any clock hour (00 through 59
  minutes).
• (Example 20m to 40m to 20m are two band changes)

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Two Rules
- CQWW

• 3) Each of the two transmittersused must keep a
  separate chronological log for the entire contest
  period,or if electronic logging is used, the
  electroniclog submittal (Cabrillo) must indicate
  which transmitter made each QSO.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting Multi-Multi
Rules - CQWW

• No limit to transmitters, but only one signal and
  running station allowed per band.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• Reasons for entering Multi-Operator categories
• You are allowed to use packet spots, so your
  multipliers will potentially be much greater
• You can share the operating, greatly reducing
  individual operator fatigue

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• Reasons for entering Multi-Operator categories
• You can feel part of a team!
• This all has the potential for more POINTS for
  CADXA

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• The simplest form of multi-op single xmtr
  contesting
• Two or more operators sharing a normally
  single-op configured station.
• A step up, would be one person operating and
  another feeding the Band Map listening to another
  band.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• The next step up of multi-op single xmtr
  contesting
• Two radios, one running stations and the other
  then designated the Multiplier station.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Subtitle More
POINTS for CADXA)

• The most typical Multi-Single is
• One radio as Run station, one radio as Mult
  station.

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Typical
Multi-Single Stations)

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Typical
Multi-Single Stations)

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Simple Multi-operator Contesting(Typical
Multi-Single Stations)

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Contest Radios
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Contest RadiosCan Be Anything..

• Ability to Interface with computer/logging
  program/audio/keying
• Has sufficient receiver specs to handle madness
  of big contest signals

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Contest AntennasCan Be Anything..
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Contest Antenna Can Be Anything..almost -)
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Lets quickly look at some contesters antennas
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Some Contest Stations are LargeHC8N
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Some Contest Stations are LargePJ2T
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Some Contest Stations are LargeW3LPL
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Some Contest Stations are LargeK3LR
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Some Contest Stations are LargeKC1XX
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Some Contest Stations are LargeW0SD
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Some Contest Stations are LargeVY2ZM
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Some Contest Stations are LargeKH7X
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Some Contest Stations are LargeW0AIH
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Some Contest Stations are LargeN5TW
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Some Contest Stations are LargeWB9Z
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Some Contest Stations are LargeW5KFT
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Some Contest Stations are LargeVE6JY
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Some Contest Stations are LargeJL8GFB
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeAB5K
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeW6NL
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeES5TV
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeFY5KE
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeN5CQ
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeZS4TX
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Some Contest Stations are almost LargeK7IR
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Some Contest Stations are AverageK8IA
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Some Contest Stations are SmallKG8V
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Some Contest Stations are Small
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Bandpass Filters and Coax StubsUsually essential
for multi-op multi-rig

• Why use?
• To reduce harmonic responses, phase noise, hash
  etc, allowing two or more radios/bands to be used
  at one time.
• To protect the off-band receiver from overload.

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Bandpass Filters

• Commercial Offerings
• W3NQN Bandpass Filters

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Bandpass Filters

• W3NQN BP Filters (continued)

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Bandpass Filters

• Dunestar (N7EA) BP Filters

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Bandpass Filters

• Dunestar (N7EA) BP Filters (contd)

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Bandpass Filters

• ICE Products BP Filters (contd)

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Bandpass Filters Where do they go?

• Bandpass filters, being mostly 200w rated units,
  are installed at the output of the HF radio
  before your amp and antenna.
• They can be manually selected or automatically
  switched via a band decoder attached to your
  radio.

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Bandpass Filters What rejection can you
get?2nd Harmonic Attenuation (dB)(K0TO
measurements)
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Bandpass Filters What rejection can you
get?Sub-Harmonic Attenuation (dB)(K0TO
measurements)
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Coaxial Stub Filters What Are They and What You
Get?

• Coaxial cable can be carefully trimmed to make
  stubs that provide filtering affect at one or
  more frequency ranges.
• Typically, they are cut for ¼ wave (shorted) or ½
  wave (open) lengths and will attain approx 25-30
  db attenuation depending on configuration.

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Coaxial Stub Filters Where can you find more
info?

• A real good reference on Coaxial Stubs is a book
  by W2VJN Managing Interstation Interference
  Coaxial Stubs and Filters, available thru INRAD.

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Coaxial Stub Filters Where can you find more
info?
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Antenna Switching

• Some simple, and some not so simple, multi-op
  stations use manual switching for the antennas.

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Antenna SwitchingW9RE

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Antenna Switching 2 radios

• One way A WX0B Six-Pak or Equivalent. This
  device routes any antenna to any of two radios.

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W4RM 3 station Multi-Two
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W4RM Run Station 1
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W4RM Multiplier Station
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W4RM Run Station 2
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W4RM Antennas
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K8LX Multi-Two
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K8LX
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K8IA/N7RQ 2 station Multi-1
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K8IA/N7RQ 2 station Multi-1Position 1
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K8IA/N7RQ 2 station Multi-1Position 2
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Antenna Experiments (2008)The Beginning
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Antenna Experiments (2008)Step One
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Antennas in Different DirectionsRotator
Indicator Solution
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Antenna Experiments (2008)Step Two
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Minimal Functions of Contest Software

• Interface with your Radio (band, mode, freq, send
  cw, transfer audio)
• Log your Qsos correctly (time, date, callsign,
  exchange etc)
• Track your Multipliers, Dupes, Score
• Have a Band Map
• Create a Cabrillo file

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Free real Contest Software

• N1MM Logger -Free, Well supported, highly
  featured, top notch contest program.
  http//n1mm.com
• CT for Windows Free. Simplified windows
  version of old dos CT. Limited in features and
  support. www.k1ea.com/

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For Purchase real Contest Software

• Win-Test (64) Very well done software with all
  necessary features and great support.
  www.win-test.com
• WriteLog (30) Very stable and near full
  featured. Support has deteriorated.
  http//www.writelog.com/

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Score Reporting

• Scores are reported to the sponsor via submission
  of your log in a formatted text file called a
  Cabrillo file.
• You can change the Cabrillo file via a text
  editor such as Notepad. Do NOT use a word
  processor.

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Score Reporting

• The MOST important items in the Cabrillo header
  are your callsign and the CLUB NAME.
• Do NOT use CADXA in the header. It will pass CQ
  log checking robots OK but not ARRL. We lost
  points in 2008.
• Use Central Arizona DX Assn

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Score Reporting

• START-OF-LOG 2.0
• ARRL-SECTION AZ
• CALLSIGN N7RQ
• CLUB Central Arizona DX Assn
• CONTEST CQ-WW-SSB
• CATEGORY MULTI-ONE ALL HIGH SSB
• CLAIMED-SCORE 1100294
• OPERATORS N7RQ K8IA

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Before the Contest

• Update your Logging Program with latest Country
  file and Super Check Partial file.
• Get the computers networked properly
• Make some practice qsos Make sure logging pgm
  is working ok and controls radio
• Sync time on both computers
• Study propagation reports

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating Tips(credits to
K3ZO, K2YWE, K8LX and several others)The Kurt
Mudgeon Contest Team
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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsPhone Contests

• Use conventional or unmistakable phonetics
• Aristocratic Punctuality is poor phonetics for
  AP
• Maintain a friendly sense of urgency in your
  QSOs
• Chattiness will slow your rate and lose you
  contacts.

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsPhone Contests

• Do not be intimidated by stations talking fast or
  unintelligibly.
• Firmly ask until you get all the exchange info.
  Use again?
• It is usually better to ask for one piece of
  missing info at a time.

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsCW Contests

• Dont let your code speed keep you from enjoying
  CW contests
• Do not be intimidated by stations too fast for
  you to copy.
• Start with the slower stations higher in the
  band.
• Don't worry if you have to hear a call several
  times to get it.
• As the contest goes on you will improve!

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsCW Contests

• Dont be shy about sending QRS.
• Call CQ high in the band at a speed comfortable
  for you.
• Most stations will slow down to your speed.
• Try moving frequency a bit if you cant seem to
  be heard.
• Often receiver bandwidths in a crowded band are
  set very narrow.

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• SP rates can be high early in the contest
• Everyone is new for you.
• You can quickly hop from station to station with
  little fear of Dupes.
• You are usually safe to call first and fill-in
  the call at the QSO end

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• Work bands that may close first. Move with
  propagation.
• This often means 10-15-20 in a.m. then 40-80-160
  later on.
• Try running rather than chasing spots when high
  bands are open.
• Go after the Mults when 20 has slowed, but 40
  hasn't opened yet

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• Verify the callsign of the station you're working
  and log it correctly
• Exploit any antenna/propagation advantages you
  may have.
• Call no more than 3 tries and then move on. Come
  back later.
• Change bands frequently

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• Dont get ego driven in pileups. The idea is to
  make contest points, not call endlessly in a
  no-win mess. ( My 3 call rule).

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• When using packet be aware of call accuracy.
  Verify before QSY!
• When using packet watch WHO is spotting WHOM.
  (Propagation driven).
• When using packet do not bother calling a
  semi-rare station that has just been spotted.
  WAIT.
• Mults mean a lot, esp at end of contest.

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• Dont waste your time calling a known big gun DX
  station that is weak unless you, too, are a big
  gun.
• Use the widest IF bandwidth you can stand
• Less chance to miss off-freq callers, especially
  on CW

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Kurt Mudgeon Contest Operating TipsGeneral
Contesting

• Dont break a run pulling one station through
• Your rate will suffer if you take too long
• You will drive away impatient waiting stations
• Try twice and move on

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Upcoming DX Contests

• CQ Worldwide DX Contest, SSB 0000Z, Oct 25 to
  2400Z, Oct 26
•   
• CQ Worldwide DX Contest, CW 0000Z, Nov 29 to
  2400Z, Nov 30
•  

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Upcoming DX Contests

• ARRL Inter. DX Contest, CW
• 0000Z, Feb 21 to 2400Z, Feb 22
•  
• ARRL Inter. DX Contest, SSB
• 0000Z, Mar 7 to 2400Z, Mar 8
•  

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Other Contests rest of 2008

• Nov 1-3 ARRL Sweepstakes CW
• Nov 15-17 ARRL Sweepstakes SSB
• Dec 5-6 ARRL 160 Contest
• Dec 13-14 ARRL 10M Contest

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Team Meeting Topics

• Operating Schedules
• Equipment Familiarization
• Station Strengths and Weaknesses/Operating
  Strategy/Goals
• Contest logging software decision
• Household Rules and Idiosyncrasies

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Keep the Troops Happy!

•  

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Help With The Clean Up
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Stay In the Chair!
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Keep Yo Butt Planted!
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