Is K3 too good?

[Ignacy]

A thread on QRP raises an issue what to do when running a frequency in a contest. QRPers joy may be runner's agony.

Assume the rate is good but from time to time there is just one very weak caller. With K3 one can try to improve the copy by narrowing BW, RITing, using diversity with multiple directions, RF gaining, ATTing,  etc. A successful QSO takes a few exchanges and 1-2 minutes. It turns out someone is likely running 1 W with hamstick-like antenna on 160. In the meantime someone starts calling CQ on the run frequency and the score takes a hit.

So one wonders what experienced contesters do with their K3 when they hear QRP stations.

If you hear a very weak station during a run, is fiddling with controls of K3 (beside RIT) beneficial?

If one deciphers a non-DX prefix, and it is going to take a while to complete the QSO, should one continue?

I tried DUAL PB but it hurts as much as it helps.

Ignacy, NO9E

[Jim Brown-10]

On Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:08:42 -0800 (PST), Ignacy wrote:

>So one wonders what experienced contesters do with their K3 when they hear
>QRP stations.

As far as I'm concerned, a QRP station is just another contact. Weak
signals can take more time to work if they're buried in noise or QRM, but
no additional time at all if they're not. I try to work weak signals as
long as it doesn't cause me to lose my run frequency.

It helps a lot if the QRP station is a skilled operator, knowing how to
send the right things in sequence, when to repeat, when to use multiple
repeats, when NOT to repeat. One of the great things about ARRL DX is that
non-US/VE stations send their power as part of the exchange. I'm always
pleasantly surprised at the strength of some QRP signals. I've worked
several 5W JAs on 80 and 40 CW.

What I NEVER NEVER NEVER want to hear in a contest is a station sending
/QRP (or a US station sending /7) in their call. That will cause me to
avoid them as a lid who is likely to waste my time.

Another time waster that identifies you as a lid is "please copy." :)

73,

Jim K9YC


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[Jim Brown-10]

Another point in this QRP thread, which I learned running QRP myself. If
you're not getting through and no one else is calling, give up and move on,
but try calling later when conditions are better (or the pileup is smaller).
Several years ago when I was still living in Chicago I worked WAE QRP with a
wire dipole. I worked almost no one when their signals were S5, but made a
lot of Qs later on when conditions improved and their signals were S7-8.

73,

Jim K9YC


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