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AR15.COM
10/13/2013 7:21:53 PM EDT
If someone is calling "CQ Contest" is he calling for any station any where, or just other stations in the same contest?
10/13/2013 7:33:29 PM EDT
[#1]
Depends on the contest. Sometimes both parties don't need to confirm contact.
10/13/2013 7:37:05 PM EDT
[#2]
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Quoted:
Depends on the contest. Sometimes both parties don't need to confirm contact.
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Is it considered rude to answer the call if you aren't part of the contest?  

10/13/2013 7:41:47 PM EDT
[#3]
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Quoted:
Is it considered rude to answer the call if you aren't part of the contest?  
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Nope.  I do it all the time, and it's how I get a lot of my DX contacts.

But, it is a good idea to take a look at the contest rules, and see what they say.  Plus, you need to be ready to give the required exchange (RST, serial number.... whatever) if you do make those contacts. That way, you don't slow the contest station down, as he is trying to make as many contacts as possible.
10/13/2013 7:51:23 PM EDT
[#4]
Here is a list of upcoming contests.  They usually have a link to the rules.


Now, take a look at "The object of the contest" under the the rules for the Oceania DX  contest.  You will see that it is a waste of time (no points awarded) for a non-Oceania station to contact other non-Oceania stations.  So, this is one situation I would not make the contact.

10/13/2013 8:08:24 PM EDT
[#5]
I wrote a very detailed thread about contests a few years ago but I think it hit the archive.
10/14/2013 3:56:57 AM EDT
[#6]
Quote History
Quoted:
Here is a list of upcoming contests.  They usually have a link to the rules.

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+1

I like to dabble in contests.

I work a lot of weekends, and when I don't, I like to spend time with my kids

from the link posted by Kekoa, figure out the exchange

contests are a great way to pick up states and countries.


I work the same ham in Morocco every time I play in a RTTY contest

I like the CQ RTTY contest

the exchange is simple

build a couple of simple macro's in DM-780

example recent RTTY contest

to answer a CQ =
CALLSIGN CALLSIGN
W1AW W1AW

exchange
CALLSIGN 599 CQ ZONE STATE TU<add-log>

WIAW 599 5 CT TU<add-log>   ( my callsign rst599 cq-zone state Thank U..automatically log it in DM-780 )


done, go on to the next one.

I start on the higher bands,usually 10m..slowly scrolling across looking for guys calling CQ
once I get to the top of the band, I drop to 15 and start over, then 20m, then back to 10 if it's still open
as it gets dark, I add 40 and 80m
etc...
10/14/2013 5:37:37 AM EDT
[#7]
Quote History
Quoted:
Here is a list of upcoming contests.  They usually have a link to the rules.


Now, take a look at "The object of the contest" under the the rules for the Oceania DX  contest.  You will see that it is a waste of time (no points awarded) for a non-Oceania station to contact other non-Oceania stations.  So, this is one situation I would not make the contact.

View Quote


Awesome, thanks for the info guys.
10/14/2013 9:49:48 AM EDT
[#8]
Yeah I was bouncing around one night not long ago and a EU guy asked me if I had any QTC for him?

"Uh no...what's that?"  He took a few precious seconds to give me a basic explanation and gave me the website for the rules.  He could have just blasted me for being a LID.

So I went and figured it out and then went hunting and noting until I had the max amount of QTC I could give him.

Sat patiently calling him in his pileup until he called me, I gave him all the data (2 of which he seemed very excited about, doubtless some nuance I still don't understand regarding points) and then thanked me for coming back 'after my lesson' and welcomed me to the hobby noting my brand new license.

That was a quality evening on the air for me, and I hope for him as well.