[Moon-net] assisted or not question de SM5LE

[Edward Cole]

At 01:19 PM 2/4/2008, SM5LE wrote:
>My "wondering" for the "assisted or not" question:
>
>How  can I possible make a QSO on total random as a "small gun" to a 
>"small gun" , if I do not hear the JT signal in the speaker  and not 
>see any on waterfall  (it is possible to make sked-QSO in such 
>circumstances). On 1296 I have called randomly JT CQ:s for many 
>hours without success.
>
>73 Sven SM5LE
>
>_______________________________________________
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Sven,

I can tell you of my experience as a "small gun" (actually would be 
considered QRP) on 2m eme.

My first eme contest was the 1998 ARRL Contest and I was able to work 
one station ...W5UN.  That was using 120w and two yagis and was my 
very first eme contact.  I was thrilled.  It mattered not that I only 
could work one station.

Over the next couple years I added two more yagis and moved up to 
185w.  That results in a ERP of 16.8 kW.  I only worked 1-2 stations 
per contest using CW.  Not very much of a surprise considering my 
signal was 10 dB too weak for normal CW-eme (ERP=100 kW is the standard).

In 2003 JT44 was available and I did better.  But not much 
better.  Even with self-spotting on the eme logger it was difficult 
to make contacts in the contests.  Attempts at random calling 
stations resulted in no contacts...they never saw me.  In contests 
stations seem to work all the big signals first, then go after the 
hard one (little guys).

I don't think that is realistic to think one can work small gun to 
small gun without a sked.  You may work some bigger guns by random 
calling if you see their signal and decode them.  That is not as hard 
find them as it might seem.  The waterfall display of Spectra-JT will 
show a four-yagi QRO station easily.  You probably will hear their 
tones if you listen.

You can write down many of the calling frequencies that stations 
publish on MoonNet before a contest, and that will give you some 
frequencies to try.  This practise seems to be OK with the eme 
community for most contests (as long as it precedes the contest time period).

Working the contests as a small gun under random calling rules is 
very frustrating.  If skeds are permitted then I would suggest 
setting some up.  The use of a logger in a contest is very 
controversal at this time, though commonly done under the Assisted 
Class.  The problem is too many operators fail to stay off the 
keyboard when a contact is underway and that contaminates the 
contact.  Even if you are being prudent they spoil your efforts.

If you can set up MAP65, you can see all the JT65 stations within a 
60-KHz band and call any that you wish.  This is probably the best 
way to try running random as a small gun.  You will still find that 
it is hard to get many stations attention, though.

Best advise is to try upgrading your station over time.  That is what 
I am doing.  I will have 700w in a few weeks, I hope.

GL & 73,  Ed - KL7UW