RadioSport Resources | WA7BNM Contest Calendar

WA7BNM Contest Calendar

My RadioSport Resources for entry level enthusiasts continues after discussing the importance of having working knowledge of sponsor rules and ARRL general rules. Certainly, after Friday and the fall of yet another sport legend, the trending cultural message is follow the rules or suffer the consequences albeit sooner or later.

Personally, the chapter that was written with the good old boy network of characters winking, winking, nodding, nodding, and protecting the brand at any cost is nearing its conclusion.

If one remains interested, optimistic, and prepared to learn, there is concise text written by masters of the game. The Contesting Compendium is an excellent point to begin developing one's RadioSport strategy from station design to propagation to everything in between.

Scheduling
The next step in the process of reaching for the highest level in RadioSport is scheduling.

The WA7BNM Contest Calendar is the best resource for developing an event agenda according to one's favorite mode. Literally,whatever one's preferred niche there is an event somewhere on the either the 12-month or perpetual calendar.

Bruce Horn, WA7BNM took his calendar to the next level providing an eight day snapshot of events including hours of activity. One can budget time according to their desired goals. Additionally, most major events like CQWW DX, ARRL International DX, California QSO Party, or ARRL Sweepstakes remain consistent on the perpetual calendar.

Recommendation
I recommend drafting a schedule table of one's favorites and, keeping family in mind, sit down with the YL and negotiate the plan.

Certainly, as a bachelor or bachlorette, one is driving their own schedule however as a  student; planning with mid-terms or finals in mind, injects additional structure and/or organization into an already hectic schedule. Hopefully, one can discover a few hours of participation time after planning and budgeting, however grade point average, is the primary mission.

Conclusion
The rules protect the integrity of RadioSport Box scores while developing one's knowledge base expands awareness. Subsequently, planning one's schedule using the WA7BNM Contest Calendar, will assist in the efficient allocation of valuable time based on the eight day schedule while maximizing ham radio fun across the weekend.

Contest on!

P.S. Have a barbecue to attend at TK's QTH later this afternoon.      

RadioSport Resources | Introductory References

My last RadioSport Resources posting spoke to having a working knowledge of the rules for sponsored events like CQWW DX, CQ WPX, and ARRL general rules. The purpose is an awareness that following the rules leads to the integrity of RadioSport Box scores. Additionally, there are log submission deadlines, exchange requirements, categories, classifications, and time considerations for an entry level operator to choose from.

The rules assist in deciding one's how-to approach when operating in an event.

My next step in the process is to provide introductory references of greater detail that will assist in building one's knowledge base. The construction of one's RadioSport foundation is extremely important because it leads to greater understanding from building a competitive shack to breaking a world record to having a lot of ham radio fun over a weekend.

There is nothing more frustrating than a lack of working knowledge especially if one is interested in participating in a RadioSport event such as CQWW DX or CQ WPX.

The most concise text is found at The Contest Compendium located on Wikipedia in addition to Contesting as well. The masters of the game went to great lengths to develop this resource for RadioSport enthusiasts and, most likely, the compendium will answer most questions however; it doesn't replace mentorship. Additionally, bookmark Contesting Online, at this website one can follow up on the news, read a few articles, and learn a little more about who is who in RadioSport.

Introductory References --

1. Contesting Online
2. The Contest Compendium
3. Contesting

Provided are basic RadioSport Resources for those interested in RadioSport, and, potentially, taking the game to its highest level.

Contest on!  

Beach Boys ARC Edge Of Continent Barbecue

Beach Boys ARC Barbecue Begins

From Left to Right is KG6WIK 'The Machinist', W6SL 'Big Kahuna', N6ETO 'Mr. Infrastructure'

Buddipole on 18 foot push up mast connected to a Yaesu FT450

Radio Dawg

Good morning from the shackadelic fun zone as my vacation arrives at its conclusion. I logged Japan on 17m yesterday afternoon with the Buddipole despite R2 radio blackout conditions. Additionally, received word off the mountain top that conditions were turbulent on 15m, difficult on 20m, and pending on 40m as Solo persevered. Will have an update later this morning.

Last month, the Beach Boys ARC gathered together at the edge of our continent for a barbecue. The following participants were able to attend John, W6SL 'Big Kahuna', Fred, KI6QDH 'Solo', Brian, KG6WIK 'The Machinist', Emerito, N6ETO 'Mr. Infrastructure', YL Kimberly, YL Dorothy, and Radio Dawg. The session was informal, well, everything is informal for the Beach Boys continuing our underlying mission statement, "Ham radio is fun."

We were blessed with a spectacular Saturday afternoon at Eldwayen Ocean Park located in Shell Beach.

The Beach Boys ARC deployed a Buddipole off center fed dipole on an 18 foot push up mast. Solo volunteered his Yaesu FT450 while learning that ridge line radio shadow can dampen one's desire to log a contact. However, our back-up plan included hamburgers, hot dogs, a salad, and potato chips. The food compensated for the lack of contacts in the log.

Stay tuned for the next Beach Boys ARC adventure somewhere on the Central Coast of California.

73 from the shackadelic near the beach.