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Introduction to Contesting Field Day Specifics N1MM Logging Software Why Contesting?

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Introduction to Contesting Field Day Specifics N1MM Logging Software Why Contesting? Introduction to Contesting Field Day Specifics N1MM Logging Software Why Contesting? • Contesting (also known as radiosport) is a competitive activity pursued by amateur radio operators. In a contest, an amateur radio station, which may be operated by an individual or a team, seeks to contact as many other amateur radio stations as possible in a given period of time and exchange information. Rules for each competition define the amateur radio bands, the mode of communication that may be used, and the kind of information that must be exchanged. The contacts made during the contest contribute to a score by which stations are ranked. Contest sponsors publish the results in magazines and on web sites. • There is no international authority or governance organization for this sport. Each competition is sponsored separately and has its own set of rules. (Wikipedia) General Rules • Beginning and end times • Modes (e.g. rtty, ft-8, ssb, cw) • Bands (generally contests are HF but some may be VHF only) • Power levels (like weight classes in boxing or wrestling) • Contest “Exchanges” • Signal report and serial number • Signal report and power • Signal report and location (grid square, state, CQ Zone (5), ITU Zone (8)) • Class or category and location (e.g. Field Day 5A, Virginia) Popular Contests • Field Day (you can operate from home 1D(home), 1C (mobile)) • CQ DX Contests (CW and SSB) • ARRL DX Contests (CW and SSB) • State QSO Parties (Multiple states on same week-end) • CWT (CWopsTest) CW Academy holds a 3-session mini-contest every Wed. 1 hr. segments at 9-10AM 3-4PM 11PM-Midnight; slow speed or ask to QRS https://cwops.org/cwops-tests/ • 13 Colonies Special Event (July 1 – July 7) – not a contest, but fun Run Vs Search and Pounce in FD • Search and Pounce – tune for a station and call; when complete tune for another station. Search = Tune; Pounce = Call • S&P may be good if looking for multipliers or band that may not be crowded • Running means finding a clear frequency and calling “CQ Field Day” for long periods of time, logging everyone who answers. • Run is good if you have a strong signal, or band is crowded. You can work a lot of stations quickly in “Run” VWS Exchanges for Field Day • Field Day Exchange is category + section • Category is number of transmitters and power source • E.g. 3 transmitters; A = club/non club portable, B = one or two person portable, C = Mobile, D = Home, E = Home (emergency power); F – Emergency operations center (etc.) • Sections are ARRL or RAC (Canadian) Sections (e.g. Maryland DC, North Texas, Arizona, Northern New Jersey, Quebec) • Our call sign will be K4XY(Kilo Four X-Ray Yankee) • Our category is 5A (5 transmitters, A – club) • Our Section is Virginia (Victor Alpha) • W1AW you are 5 Alpha, Virginia (Victor Alpha) • K4XY we QSL, you are 3 Foxtrot, Connecticut (Charlie Tango) Tips from the Winners • 1. Read the Contest Rules and make sure you understand them. • 2. Check all your equipment (including software) a few days before the contest begins. Make sure everything is operating perfectly. • 3. Understand the basics of propagation and plan your contest strategy accordingly. Try to obtain a propagation forecast for the contest weekend. • Make a band schedule (times for multiple bands, or single band) • 4. Make plans for rest and nourishment. Have food and drink on hand. Take breaks every couple of hours to stretch your legs and clear your mind. (Source ARRL.org) Resources • Amateur Radio Contesting Resources and Information • https://www.ng3k.com/Contest/ • WA7BNM Contest Calendar • https://www.contestcalendar.com/ • K1AR Contest Tips • http://www.mapability.com/ei8ic/contest/k1ar.php • Beginners Guide to Ham Radio Contesting - Amateur Radio Contests • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmrfPkQfSVc • ARRL Contest Basics • http://www.arrl.org/contest-basics 9 N1MM+ Overview • N1MM+ is a contest logging tool that VWS uses for Field Day, NAQP, and other events • N1MM+ records exactly what is required for each individual contest and scores contacts according to the contest rules • N1MM+ helps you to avoid duplicate contacts that will waste time and not add to your score • N1MM+ can display several windows. We’ll cover the most important ones in this overview. 10 Enter contest exchange N1MM+ Entry Window here. Use space bar, tab Enter call signs, or mouse click to move frequency, mode, other among fields. Press commands here Enter key to log. Change band/mode by These buttons are (mostly) for automated clicking here sending of messages in CW, digital, or with voice recordings 11 Before You Do Anything Else!! Set Operator (each time op changes) • Set the operator by entering OPON in the Entry Window or pressing <CTRL>O 12 CW/Digital Stations: Set Run or S&P • Run = I will call CQ • S&P = “Search and Pounce” – I will answer CQs 13 Logging a QSO Use Space Bar (preferred) or Tab to go to next field Use Enter to enter into log N1MM may fill in Class and Section if it thinks it knows them. Double check! 14 Verify in Log Window Note that the Field Day exchange is Class and ARRL Section Most Sections are States, but there are several exceptions Suggest keeping a list of ARRL sections handy Also: If the QSO isn’t logged when Enter is pressed, one of the entry fields is wrong – likely the section! 15 Making Corrections Double click any field to edit it. Right click an entry to get a menu for editing or deleting. 16 Dupe Checking • A “Dupe” is a station already worked on the current band and mode. Working a dupe doesn’t add to our score. • N1MM+ will identify a duplicate station when the call sign is entered 17 The Bandmap • You can use the Bandmap window to view CW spots from the spotting station or to return to a station your heard but could not work earlier. • To save to the Bandmap: Enter at least the call sign in the Entry window, then click “Store” • With CAT control, you can return to the station by clicking on the bandmap entry 18 Tuning a Spotted Frequency • If you tune to a frequency that has been spotted (by you or by the CW spotting station), the call sign will show as below. Press the space bar to bring it into the call sign field. 19 Other Windows • Network Status: Reconnect to the network; see Band, Op at other stations • Telnet: CW stations will use this window to connect to the CW spotting station. • Score summary • Talk to Another Station • Spectrum Display – Pan adapter view with bandmap info. Not supported on all rigs 20 Final Note • N1MM+ is thoroughly documented. See this link: https://n1mm.hamdocs.com/tiki-index.php QUESTIONS?.
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