I start by scanning for stations starting at 3700 kHz. Everyone answers on the first call. Above 3745 kHz, however, things change; I try calling OM3KEG and OM3SEM, but I have to call these stations up to five times before I get a response. The same goes for other stations in the upper band above 3770 kHz. I’ll try tuning again and calling stations I haven’t worked yet.
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TIP: The advantage of the SDR spectrum
For stations operating on a call-and-response basis at a fast pace, the SDR spectrum can actually be counterproductive. The operator has to keep track of a lot more data, and during contests where the spectrum data isn’t combined with the call sign from the DX cluster, it’s also difficult to verify which station is on a given frequency.
Typical spectrum in N1MM+ outside of a contest
However, for stations operating at a slower pace or on bands where it is necessary to monitor band openings, the SDR spectrum is definitely an advantage.
It can also be an advantage when searching for an open frequency to make a call.
Calling on 3715 kHz
This is exactly how I managed to find an open frequency at 3715 kHz, and stations began calling. Not at a high rate, but fairly consistently. Contacts and multipliers began to pile up.
TIP: A strong signal from the other station increases its appeal
With QRP power, you can’t expect your signal to be strong enough for other stations to notice it when they’re quickly scanning the band. However, they’re unlikely to overlook the signal from a QRO station—the station they’re currently in contact with. Ideally, therefore, a QRP station’s session should be shorter than that of a QRO station.
Changing propagation conditions
Yaesu FT-1000MP display
As the OM Activity Contest drew to a close, it became apparent that the signals were getting weaker and weaker. Stations that are able to respond to calls from the very first minutes have an advantage in this regard. However, toward the end, there tends to be less interference between stations and more open frequencies.
After interference increased on 3715 kHz from a station that apparently couldn’t hear me, I started scanning again. New stations were added to the log, such as OK2YB:
A regular participant in the OM Activity Contest is Miro OM3ZU:
I’m also trying to call on various frequencies. It doesn’t work everywhere. In the end, however, I get lucky. I manage to find the frequency, and the callers bring the number of contacts up to a final total of 62 with 25 multipliers. One is missing: R.