|
|
ContestersContesting is a branch of the amateur radio hobby in where a station tries to get as many contacts in a defined time as possible. The format is the same as used by DX-peditions although may also include a formal message. The message can be, for example, the serial number of the conversation or the name of the operator. Oftentimes the contesting station is forced to go split, receiveing on one frequency and tansmitting on another, to be able to cope with the large number of stations calling a.k.a pile-up. A typical session can be S1: QRZ S1 (who's calling me?) S2: S2 (S2 am) S1: S2 UR 599 (Ok, got you. You are 599 here) S2: S2 TNX 599 K (From S2, thanks, 599 to you too) S1: TU QRZ S1 (Thank you for the call-in. Now who's calling me?) Etc, etc. Note the absence of formally recommended parts. There is no "K" (for "over") and no time consuming chit-chat. Skilled operators peaks up to about 200 contacts per hour if running split and ideal partners at the other end. However a figure of 100 per hour is more normal over an extended period of time. Going split is sometimes necessary. The contesting station will then transmit on one frequency and listen about 1 to 2 kHz up from this. This enables everyone to hear the contesting station sending and the latter can with a very narrow filter pick out single callers out of the many calling. If there are too many calls on the same frequency they swamp each other and the contesting station then has to alter his listening frequency somewhat. This way he can almost always get the next in line.
|
 |