advice from a contester for the Beginners

Hi ---   if this is your first contest, and your a bit nervous  this is a place to start !  
Contesting is fun once you get the bug,  so give it a try..      IN this contest YOU ARE THE DX  !!

Idaho Stations,  the best thing to do is read the rules, however, this possibly being your first time,  your
probably operation from home, so there's lots of rules that don't apply to you.. so lets make this easy.
 

1. make sure you know the correct start / end time.  use GMT    watch out for the daylight savings time jump.

2. pick a frequency and stay put,
   
you're the DX , they need to find you.  Try to avoid interfering with other stations on the band. 
    Some interference is unavoidable, but try to move up or down a little , if someone says your on their
    Net freq,  its probably better to just QSY  to a new spot.   if you call CQ 20 times and get no answers
    find a new freq, there must be interference somewhere.   See Rules for suggested operation frequencies

3. unless you want a pile up
(see #2 bottom of page), its best to just run 100 watts, even then a pile up might happen.
    When and IF things slow down and the pile up subsides, crank up the power. and get some attention. spot yourself its ok in our QSO party

4. remember,  stations trying to QSO with you can't read your mind, its up to you to communicate
    clear concise requests and directions, everyone on the frequency needs to know  exactly WHO you are talking to !
 
5.
use proper phonetics and pro words like OVER

6. How to call CQ, something like   "CQ CQ CQ this is "your call"  for the Idaho QSO party". 
    you may generate a PILE UP, if you do, don't  lose your mind or control of the frequency, 
  
 if all you hear is  %&^% K8 $#$#   you  SAY "the K8 try again"..  Then a loud 5 station comes in with several 8's,
    DON"T answer the 5,  if you do, within minutes you will have chaos !
    WHY ?? because you have set a precedence for stations not to following your directions.. you said 8 not 5.
    You are the boss  !!,  say  " please the K8 Only ", maybe three K8's come back, if so, try to work them all ,
    one at a time,  get part of the call and keep narrowing the field down to one ..  Say the partial call, narrow
    it down. make sure you copy their call correctly. IF YOUR NOT SURE  ask them to repeat it until you get it !
    Make sure everyone on the frequency know exactly who you are talking to.    and Feel Free to ASK FOR A SPOT, 

OK once you get their call letters  (be friendly, this isn't a dog eat dog contest)
   Then say "their call"  this is "your call sign", and your report
   your report is simple:    your 3 letter county abbreviation
(see #3 bottom of page) "over"..    I always include Idaho and the county, but thats up to you  
   Know what to expect  !!!    HEY, they need to tell you their state, However many will
   give you their city and name, county,  an RST,   some want to chat.  Try not to be rude , 
   tell them your name, thank them and say you need to get going since a lot
   of stations are calling ..  (or if you want to chat, then chat)   , the only thing you need to
   log is their  state.   Thats it  .. if your logger wants an RST just enter 59
   forget everything else,  JUST  log it and move on.. if its a DX station like vp2ky  put VP2 in the state field ..
   try to know  the state abbreviations , if you don't know ASK .. many software logging packages won't log incorrect abbreviations

  A state quiz ,    if I hear Maine  what do I type,  MA,  ME, MI  or I don't know, ????? If you don't know,   ASK THEM !
        and if all fails, just type any state, like KS MO,,    don't fret,  this is all for fun anyway.    don't get bogged down

   
Log those "dupes"

How to handle "dupes" (duplicate contacts) in contest logs.  FYI, in these  LOW KEY CONTESTS,  not the big dog eat dog contests
many hams aren't even in the contest, they aren't even logging contacts, so they might call you more than once, What to do, SAY your a DUP,,, NO NO
It's easier to
just log them, and move on. Don't spend time trying to tell them the time you worked them before,  NO ---- JUST LOG THEM 
Leaving both contacts in your log ensures its a QSO...



Logging Software:  also see the Idaho Station page  or out Software page

 
 Remember, you are "a winner" if you try.  If your a bit confused  you might want an "elmer" or teacher.
  Try to find someone at your club that's a contester,  check out the RESULTS   for the call's of Idaho
  stations that worked the contest last year.  look them up on QRZ.com you can get their email, (hopefully)
  contact them,  most will probably be willing to help you over the learning curve.  If you want you can
  contact me at jcwilson((at))ida.net  then we can move to a voice call.  

  IT'S important to use a logger, makes it easy,  and YOU CAN EASLEY send in your logs to the boys down in Twin Falls
 
 Remember the jobs not finished until the paper work is done..   its important : Mail or email in your logs to the IDQP   Logs Link

you might also want to sign up for LoTW, its free,   and is a easy way to confirm contacts.

footnotes:
(2)  A Pile Up,  is where you have many stations calling you at once. 
(3)  Many stations have NO interest in your county other than for this contest,  you need to send the report, make it clear and quick.
      Personally I  use Phonetics, The three letters for Bannock county is BAN,  for fast contacts
      I will say their call and   "India Delta"   "Bravo Alpha November". over .     
      Remember, if you running a pile up, most stations already have your info (again MOST ???),  they've been on frequency trying to get your attention
       SO, Don't spell the entire county unless they ask .  Give them the 3 letters...
      see the idaho county list ". 
(4) if  you have questions I'm willing to talk on the phone,  for hours in necessary ! ,   so email me and lets set a time for that phone call .
      I can help with N1MM too..     jcwilson((at))ida.net

 

OUT OF STATE STATIONS

PLEASE spot idaho stations, make it easy for other to find us on the bands,  it will be easier for you too, you
won't have to tune for hours, you need to find the Idaho Stations.
use clusters like http://www.dxsummit.fi. ,  when you spot  "comment"   IDAHO IDQP.