I participate in this 80-meter contest fairly often, but only during the first hour. These are very good contests that allow even beginners without language or operating skills to make contest contacts. However, it cannot be described as easy.
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SSB League – a difficult contest
Milan OK1IF (Jožo Fero) has a saying that 90% of the contest result is determined by power and antenna quality. However, if you lack either one, greater operating skill is required. QRO stations never have to figure this out, but QRP stations could tell you a thing or two about it: proper timing for calling in, attempts to find the frequency when called, searching for stations, repeating the contest code, and so on.
In 2020, I used a shortened Diamond W-8010 antenna on a small mast. This antenna is very narrowly tuned and does not have the same efficiency as a full-length antenna at a suitable height. An example of the difference in antenna performance at different heights is shown by a simulation of a half-wave dipole at various heights: http://www.saunalahti.fi/~hohtola/ham/80m-half-wave-dipole-gain-vs-height/
From SO1V to SO2V with SDR
Yaesu FT-1000MP
I use the Yaesu FT-1000MP, which is an older-generation radio without SDR. However, it used to be the company’s “flagship” model, which means it has some features you won’t find on other devices. In addition, I have a signal output from the first intermediate frequency, which is processed by a Softorock-type SDR (originally an SDR kit for monitoring the 4m band), which, in combination with an external sound card, allows me to monitor the 96 kHz spectrum of the band. N1MM+ combined with the WaterfallBandmap program allows me to integrate the SDR directly into my logbook, displaying frequencies, stations, and more.
The FT-1000MP has a second receiver. Although it does not match the quality of the main receiver, it allows for simultaneous reception of a different frequency—that is, one headset receives the signal from the main receiver while the other receives the signal from the second receiver. No question about it—this type of reception is quite challenging, and it wasn’t easy to adapt to it.
For SO2V—as this mode is called—it’s helpful to use a few macros with pre-recorded phrases during the contest. In addition to the standard call, I use a macro with my call sign (OM0AAO) and the exchanged code (thank you, 59 TNC). On the N1MM+ screen, the left side—the bandmap and the log window—is for the main receiver, while the right side is for the second receiver. I switch between them using the keyboard (CTRL + arrow key).
How does it work? If the main receiver is listening during my CQ and I find a potential QSO on the second receiver, I press CTRL + right arrow + F4 at the right moment (which transmits OM0AAO). If I receive a response, I can send a macro or reply directly. To return to CQ transmission with the main receiver, press CTRL + left arrow.
This method is quite effective. It allows you to stay on the CQ frequency while simultaneously searching for and making contacts.
COVID-19 and the SSB League
It may sound unrelated, but I think Covid-19 has affected participation in the SSB League. Unfortunately, many ham radio operators are no longer with us and can no longer participate in our contest activities. We miss these ham radio operators… However, anti-pandemic measures have “kept” people at home more, and some radio amateurs have been looking for activities to fill their time while waiting. In some rounds of the SSB League, the number of participants who submitted a log exceeded 100. The highest participation was in the December round of the SSB League, where 109 stations were in the QRO category, 8 in QRP, and 1 SWL.
OM0AAO’s Results
As I mentioned, I operate the SSB League for 1 hour out of a possible 2 hours. Of course, this makes it impossible to compare myself with stations that transmit for 2 hours. I can only compare myself to myself. So what did the results show?
In November and December, I managed to exceed 100 QSOs per hour (105 and 103, respectively).
OM0AAO’s Score Progress in the 2020 SSB League
It’s clear that in the last two rounds, the result improved significantly to over 6,500 points. In both of these rounds, this was enough for 32nd place:
OM0AAO’s Rankings in the 2020 SSB League
This is likely close to the maximum possible result—saturation. Achieving a better result is only possible by upgrading the hardware. This confirms the words of Milan, OK1IF: “90% of a contest result is determined by the performance and quality of the antenna.” The conditions for the 2021 SSB League are a little different https://cq.sk/ssb-liga-2021/. But more on that next time.