Many times in the past I had participated in some contest without understanding terrain, antennas, propagation or operating skills. But I always had aspiration to learn by being there. Over the years, I have tried to learn and hone skills of Radio operating in crowded conditions. I have taken lot of frustrations in having high expectations and not performing to the mark. I have learnt (sought of) how to set my own goals per my understanding of conditions/constraints within which I operate.
When one develops scientific understanding behind how and why things really behave the way they are, the pleasure it gives to the each QSO one make multiplies. I keep that as my personal scoring criteria above all contest multipliers. For me, not black box dummy contest parrot that gives kick, but understanding the rush of electrons, EM acceleration via antennas, medium through which waves glide across the globe and finally being heard at other end that brings excitement.
Some contests I prepare for year long and long for it. Some like this CQ WPX were cause of a sudden opportunity I encounter in between my personal appointments at my native location.
Just a day before while a call to attend a personal appointment was scheduled, I realized it as WPX contest day as well. So why not carry my rig, coax and wire antenna?.
I knew I would not participate fully, but Sun's growing glow could not resist me. I decided to operate only 15m as it suited space and time constraints. Quickly prepared dipole wires and packing essentials along with my TS 590. I also took my 12 mtr spider pole for support. My native place property is surrounded by 15 feet high tile roofed houses and any antenna had to clear those roofs. For 15 meter band dipole, 1/2 wavelength height is around 25 feet , which is just above the surrounding roofs. But I had 25 feet blockage on east to South west direction due to sloping hill and crowded houses there.
The only variable I could adjust was my goal of QSOs :). I brought down the goal to be 100 QSOs and be happy anything above it.
All things set, I now reached location by overnight bus at around 1 UTC, had an hour to arrange wires and look for 15-20 feet bamboo. After refreshing, completed my main appointment in the morning and returned home by 5:30 UTC. I had to now raise dipole and connect the radio. All worked fine and by 6:30 UTC I had first QSO with OK1 station.
It was slow S&P contacts through out with sometimes running to find any possible onlookers. Reverse beacon confirmed my understanding about high angle signals from the low height. Normally the way I check it is, seeing how far my signals are heard when band seems to be just opening. Initially my signals were only heard in YB, 9M (AS) and ET3, 3B8 (AF), then slowly my signals were heard in East EU and then to West EU . While some other stations(with lower elevation angles) from VU were heard in EU much earlier in time. Nothing of concern as I know my constraints and aware that those signals will appear soon with my butt in the chair :) And they did arrive to fill the log. I wound up Day 1 with just over 100Qs at around 15:30 UTC.
Second day was again having some other personal work taking priority, spent only few hours at radio. and by 10:08 UTC I had to close ops with total of 145 QSOs on 15m and 19 QSOs on 10m. No NA/SA stations worked this time as I closed my operating early on both days.
Some hams think contesting is waste or rubbish on air etc. For me it is an opportunity to uncover the next learning potential in true Amateur Spirit. I try to introspect what went well/wrong and why. What I could have done better with limited resources. How the experience of next one can be made better. How my experience can help many more like me etc.
When one struggles with constraints, learns and figures how to be content - "Nirvana" is achieved. True for me, what about you?!
73s
VU2XE
