Paul Chapman, KI4AYK, at the mike. [From his QRZ.com listing]
By Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM
Contributing Editor
March 11, 2004
Learn why young hams think contesting is so much fun.
Amateur Radio contesting typically is the exercise of trying to contact as many stations as possible within a certain period of time on certain bands and under specific rules. While contests often have similar objectives, each operating event has its own set of rules and its own "exchange"--the information that you exchange with the stations you work in a contest. Most weekends, at least one contest is taking place (a few contests take place during the week too--Ed). The ARRL Contest Calendar is one place to learn what events are taking place on a given weekend. So is the WA7BNM Contest Calendar.
If you've never tried contesting, it's best to start out simply. The ARRL Field Day the fourth weekend in June is a great way to gain some contesting skills. While Field Day is not really a contest (it actually was conceived in the 1930s as an emergency preparedness exercise), it has a lot of the earmarks of a contest, and many groups and clubs vie with each other for bragging rights.
Andrew Kelly, K3ASK, in Maryland is a very active contester whose name and call sign have appeared previously in this column. Kelly helped the Anne Arundel Radio Club, Jr (AARC, Jr) club station KI3DS to a second-place finish in the Maryland QSO Party. State or regional QSO parties are fun events to get your feet wet in contesting.
K3ASK says he enjoys ham radio contesting because it gives him a chance to get on the radio and make contacts while learning how to be a better operator. In addition to the Maryland QSO Party, some of his favorite operating events include ARRL Field Day, the North American QSO Party, the ARRL International DX Contest, the ARRL VHF Sweepstakes and the ARRL November Sweepstakes. Kelly is looking forward to a new contest, Kids Roundup (more on this later).
"I like these contests because they give you the opportunity to make new contacts and work new DX stations," says Kelly. His most memorable contesting experience occurred two years ago during his first Field Day. At about 3 AM, he managed an hour-long pileup on 80 meters!
K3ASK's tip to new contesters is to write down all of your exchange information and keep it handy at your operating position. That way, you won't "forget" it (contesting can be a bit nerve-wracking at first for newcomers) when you work another station. This is an especially good idea for contests where the exchange is lengthy--such as the ARRL November Sweepstakes.
Paul Chapman, KI4AYK, at the mike. [From his QRZ.com listing] |
Paul Chapman, KI4AYK, of Tennessee likes the excitement of contesting. "Contesting is so much fun because of the heart-pumping adrenaline rush when you work 20 stations in 5 minutes," he says. He also enjoys the feeling of accomplishment of racking up a good score. His favorite contest is the CQ World Wide DX Contest--the "CQ WW"--because he enjoys contacting the sometimes-rare DX that gathers on HF bands just for the contest. In the CQ WW, stations exchange signal reports and CQ zones.
KI4AYK's proudest moment in contesting was logging approximately 175 contacts and close to 40 countries, in the CQ WW. Chapman's neatest contesting experience was when he generated a pileup on 10 meters during the same event. Chapman also says he's grateful to his Elmers (mentors) for their help and encouragement. Contesting involves acquiring new skills, and the best place to learn those is from more-experienced contesters. Chapman believes that contesting is not only fun, but a learning experience. In this vein, Chapman advises novice contesters not to be reluctant to ask questions.
"Never give up!" is Chapman's primary advice
for newcomers to the contesting scene. "Always stick with your goal and keep at
it. If you get discouraged, just get a glass of water and keep trying."
 Caleb Gerbrandt, KD7RDY, at the station of John Munroe, W7KCN, where he works many contests. [Julie Gerbrandt Photo] |
Caleb Gerbrandt, KD7RDY, of Washington enjoys contesting because it offers a chance to work many new stations--US states and DX entities--even without having the biggest and best antenna (or a huge amp). Although Gerbrandt does not always submit his contest logs, he still has fun working many different stations.
Among KD7RDY's favorite events is the ARRL International DX Contest, where the exchange is signal report and state for US stations and signal report and power output for DX. The CW and SSB weekends take place in February and March. KD7RDY also enjoys contesting out of his Elmer's station, where he has access to a rotary Yagi as well as an amplifier.
His advice for newcomers to the game is to talk with experienced contesters before "jumping in with both feet." Also, he recommends sticking to the script and only exchanging the required information, especially if your goal is to make as many contacts as possible. Don't get into a chat session.
If you don't belong to a local club, you might consider at least checking it out by attending a meeting or two. The typical club has a few contesters who probably would be eager to share their operating expertise with a younger operator.
A New Contest Just for Kids
The AARC, Jr has developed and now sponsors a contest just for kids. It's called "Kids Roundup," and it will debut on the first weekend in April, kicking off at 1400 UTC on April 3 and continuing until 2200 UTC on April 4. Kids Roundup will incorporate features and concepts from several popular operating events, such as the ARRL Kid's Day, the Maryland QSO Party, the ARRL November Sweepstakes and the old ARRL Novice Roundup, says the club's news release. The object is for young operators in the US and abroad to exchange QSO information with as many other kids as possible.
The main goal is to have fun. "We hope that this contest will serve as a bridge between the kid-friendly ARRL-sponsored Kids Day event and the fun and hectic world of contesting but at a slightly slower pace," says AARC, Jr CEO Bob Rose, AA3RR. "We anticipate and encourage a little rag chewing as an integral part of the event."
While grownups are encouraged to participate, the scoring system is set up so that contacts with kids are worth more points than contacts with adults. Certificates and awards will be presented for the highest scores, and anyone who earns a minimum of 500 points is eligible for a certificate.
A free logging program for Kids Roundup, developed by Scott Davis, N3FJP, and Kimberly Davis, KA3SEQ, can be downloaded from their Web site.
Complete information and rules for Kids Roundup are on the AARC Jr Web site.
2004 Hamvention Youth Forum
Each year at Hamvention held near Dayton, Ohio, Carole Perry, WB2MGP, moderates a forum, called "Youth in Amateur Radio." I've been to Dayton and seen the forum, and I can tell you that it is an excellent experience. Every year, there is standing room only, and the room is filled with adults and youth. Last year, 10 young hams gave presentations about their Amateur Radio activities.
If you have the opportunity to go to the Hamvention, probably the biggest hamfest you'll ever see, make sure to attend the Youth Forum. But, if you plan to go, make arrangements now, because accommodations in the Dayton area fill up fast. The Hamvention Web site has more information.
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Final Final
Once again, thank you to everyone who contributes to this column. It's readers that make it what it is, and I want to hear from younger amateurs and what on-the-air activities you enjoy. If you've sent me something for the column and I haven't used it yet, don't despair. My despotic editor only gives me so much space, so I sometimes have to hold material for a future column.
73 until next time!
Editor's Note:
Fourteen-year-old Extra-class operator and ARES Member Andrea Hartlage, KG4IUM,
resides in Grayson, Georgia. Her Amateur Radio activities include public
service, kit building, hamfesting, and operating SSB, CW and digital modes.
Amateurs with youth-related news and photos are invited to contact Andrea via
e-mail with the subject line "Youth Column."
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