--- Vic K2VCO <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Actually, the ARRL Sweepstakes can be a great deal > of fun and practice > for the "little pistol" or QRP operator (at least > for those in the US > and Canada!).
I agree! This was my first quasi-serious (more than 10 contacts) contest attempt with my K1 and as a QRP operator. I snagged several new states/territories and gained a lot of confidence in my station and operating abilities. > One way to greatly improve your CW sending is to > make a serious contest > effort and send all of the exchanges with a paddle > or bug, rather than > letting the computer do it. You would be amazed at > how much more > effective the real thing is than sending from the > phone book. I agree with this, too. My entire SS experience (maybe 3 hours total) was done with a paper log and paddles. I needed fills on about 75% of my 30wpm+ contacts at first, but after the first 15 or so, I was solid on nearly all. I was amazed at how quickly my speed increased. My sending also improved quickly. > I also think that operating behavior was quite good > this year, for the > most part. Contesters did NOT blow off weak or QRP > stations (not the > same!) and really dug to get all of the details of > the exchange. Agreed again! Pretty much all of my contacts were with "big guns," and the operating was top notch. I noticed none of the things others have complained about. The K1s receiver worked great and the 200Hz filter is super. Next year I'd like to operate outside and put up a better antenna. My ground-floor apartment QTH is noisy and doesn't allow much of an antenna. Despite that, I still had fun. 73, Jason ak7v _______________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Post to: Elecraft@mailman.qth.net You must be a subscriber to post to the list. Subscriber Info (Addr. Change, sub, unsub etc.): http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/subscribers.htm Elecraft web page: http://www.elecraft.com
