ARRL VHF/UHF CONTEST STRATEGY IDEAS

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

Whether you are a big gun or just a little pistol, everyone should have some kind of game plan for a contest.

Radio-sport.net talked with David Petke K1RZ, who operates on 6 meters through 3.4 GHz about how best to maximize your score.

Petke ran up over 341,000 points in September of 2006, as he finished in second place among single operators (behind only K1TEO) and with the sixth best score overall.

"Always be ready to QSY to other bands with anyone you work" said Petke. "You may not hear them again." K1RZ feels that may be the most important rule for VHF/UHF contesting.

Some of his other ideas include:

• Keep close track of rovers

• Call CQ as much as possible

• Tune the band to see "who just came on"

• Routinely ask if stations have other bands

Like many, Petke keeps one radio dedicated to just 6 meters during a contest. "Sometimes E's openings to specific areas are in, and then just gone in a few minutes. And you can't afford to miss too many grids."

When 6 meters is wide open, it's time to run. But when it's not, then Petke says "microwave grids are essential...of course, and those high band QSO's count 3 and 4 times what the low band contacts count."

"When presented with the choice, I often go to the Microwave bands, coming back to 2 meters or 6 meters very quickly" said Petke.

As for conditions this year, Petke says "I expect 6 meters to be just as good as last June, and perhaps even better."

One final piece of operating strategy: "Don't stop early. You will miss an opening. Or a new grid that is only on for a short time."

The ARRL September VHF QSO Party runs from 1800Z on Saturday September 8 through 0300Z on Monday September 10 (Sunday night in the US.) More at http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules....