ARRL DX SSB Contest

For my first DX contest, I made 86 QSOs in 43 countries.
But it sucked because it took like ten minutes for every qso. A G5RV and 100w with compression isn't as piercing as most hams' stations.

Update: Thanks to W0NWA for sending me a Good Operators report from the ARRL Official Observers for the contest. He says I had good op skills, clean signals, and i was polite.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• ham
• radio
• amateur
• arrl
• dx
• ssb
• contest
• radiosport

[K7AGE]

Nice job. There are lots of stations with high power and big antennas. Your video shows that you can make contacts during these contests. Yes, the QSOs will come slower and require more repeats, but at the end you have many more new DX in the log. You will learn something new in every contest. You now may think about some changes to your station to help for the next time. Maybe a 20M vertical for lower angle of radiation or a small beam. Good job and nice editing. Love the FTDX9000 poster.

[sterwing]

Thanks for your comment.

I've been trying to persuade my mom and dad to get me a tower to hang up some metal...but my efforts have been rather fruitless. But i was thinking perhaps a phased pair of Hustler BTVs or butternuts may suffice for some more distant QSOs.

73

N0SSC Sterling

[WA5MUF]

Very good!  Try CW next time!

73, WA5MUF

[sterwing]

...only if i can figure our how to copy. I can send so-so at 20-25 wpm but i can sometimes copy the ARRL Slow practice code. I've been working at it daily with seemingly little improvement.

But i'll only stop when i'm fluent.

73

[K7AGE]

Send you log in and see your call in print. Then try to improve your score next year! Randy

[tonyridlen]

Good job how long have you been licensed???

[Randomness0014]

What logging software were you using???

[Randomness0014]

How many watts are you running?

Thanks for viedos, I am 15 and my call is KI4WXL

[rickyfavazza]

its nice to see young hams. im 21 and been into radio for years. keep it going. i cant wait to get my general.

73s from KD8MGF

[ik2sgl]

Great Job, indeed. Do not matter whether it took you 10 mins. per QSO. The important thing is the you enjoyed and had fun. It is true, with a 6el. monoband and a 1K you can beat the roaster but who cares? Radio is fun. Congrat. for your good manners and correct operating procedures. I'm always happy when I hear new folks growing in the ham spirit.

A big ciao from Spaghettiland.

73 de Ik2SGL

Daniel "Jd" Ferrato

[z196272100]

sierra = seeeeeeee airrrrrrrrrrrraaaaa (extremely long & overdone is good)

charlie = charrrrrrrrr leeeeeeeeeee (extremely long & overdone is good)

call right after the pileup (after the other guy hears a big wad-a-crap on his end)

try wire beams... (how much room ya got?)

try calling in a higher-pitched voice the first time & then a lower-pitched voice... dude prolly has his shift on to knock out the guy up or down 2kc...

assume the dude's a perv & use a female voice if you still can hihi

[amateurextra58]

It is great to see young Amateur Radio Operators as yourself take charge of the contests on the vhf bands ! As an Official Observer in the State of Indiana, I fully commend you for your energies and efforts on the contests and your personal development of your skills in the Amateur Radio Service in the United States of America. You are a true CREDIT to the hobby !  Very Truly and "On The Square of Masonry," George Womack, Jr. Official Observer / ARRL Indiana

[shaunk132]

"When" you get a tower (your own money or your parens) If you are short on money for an antenna, try a moxon. just search it on google. It took me 4hours to build it and tune it. Only needs a tv antenna rotor.

Do some research on it, you will be surprised with the specs.

73

Richard

VE3RHD

[ki6jgh]

I used to have the hustler 5btv and worked the world, but then I upgraded to a 4 element beam. 73, Devin KI6JGH

[dixielandfarm]

Try some other antennas... it can be cheap! You can try folded dipoles on 20m, verticals, slopers, how about just a straight dipole with ladder line? These things can be made for $10-$20, and you might get out better.