Soapbox

 There are two distinct aspects of contesting. The first involves executing all of the pre planned preparation activities, and the unplanned activities that arise as a result of that effort.  Simply put, this is the therapeutic part of contesting. It has nothing at all to do with the contest weekend itself except for two factors. The first is that you wouldn't be preparing if you weren't going to operate, and the second is you would not have a clue as to where to make your improvement before the next contest, to your setup. The value of this therapy on your everyday life should not be underestimated.

Once the weekend arrives, it is too late for therapy . This is the opportunity to really see how well your efforts will pay off, and to make an effort to accomplish your fixed goals.  Without the goals to shoot for, enjoyment would be decreased, and interest will wane quickly.

Will this be the weekend you clean sweep ?  Work all Zones on a single band? Work 5 band dxcc in 48 hours ?  Only way to know is to try.

The average first time contester can manage 20 - 30 Qso's per hour tops.  Either you enjoy it or you don't.  It isn't something that grows on you, either you get a rush from operating conditions and circumstances, or you don't. Fine tuning and good operating technique might get you to 40-50 an hour in the 'search and pounce mode'. Then at some point in time, you realize why some guys are always calling CQ.  Your running rate will vary from contest to contest, depending on the length and complexity of the exchange.  CQ WW is probably the easiest, as the zone numbers are small and fixed, and everyone is 59(9) ( aren't they ?)

When band conditions are optimum, from North America, you are doing REALLY well if you have any 180+ hours in any of your logs.  I define an hour in this case as 60 consecutive minutes.

At 120 an hour, you are doing 1 every 30 sec..  at 180 it is 1 every 20 seconds. To boost yourself to 240 an hour, you would only have to shave another 5 seconds off each exchange, and to reach 300  ...  It can be done.   The rush at 180 an hour is tremendous. It requires tremendous concentration, and the ability to go with the flow as it happens so to speak. Fighting adjacent channel QRM, working the 1st time contester, whatever may slow you down temporarily. It is the pure and free adrenaline rush of this level of involvement that keep many attracted to contesting after all these years.

As a result of having been overseas, I have had the chance to do some operating, both casual and contesting. As a result of the experience, I want to share it with anyone who feels like getting involved in a contest dxpedition to non continental north america.  The Caribbean would be fine, as would any location in north or south america. Even XE would be acceptable. I honestly believe it would be a great trip, and a real rush to do it with all of you.  I have been collecting possible sites. Perhaps you might have any contacts relating to something like this. It is not to far off to be planning this event.  I have been looking for the opportunity for years, and it WILL happen during this solar peak for sure.

I have seen 200 an hour done for four hours straight with 100 watts from overseas.  The best ever was 273 in an hour from HZ1AB on 15 meters to JA at sunrise.  300 an hour is done routinely from south of us. 10,000 Q's in a weekend anyone ?

Dave / K2XR

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