A week after the SSB League, here comes another round of the OM Activity Contest. I think I’ve gotten more used to QRP by now, as the results suggest. This time, I’m also including a screenshot to give you an idea of what the N1MM+ configuration I use looks like.
TIP: N1MM+ configuration
Don’t be afraid to customize N1MM+ to suit your needs. One of the most important settings is adjusting the font size and colors. After all, the operator will be looking at this screen throughout the entire contest. The main settings are located in the Config > Manage Skins, Colors, and Fonts menu:
N1MM+ color and font settings
The main window is configured in a slightly unconventional way. By right-clicking, you can choose which parts of the window will be displayed. Turning off unused sections can improve clarity:
Streamlining the N1MM+ Main Window
Several windows allow for additional font size adjustments: 
Setting Font Size in N1MM+ Windows The selection of windows is also important:
Selecting available N1MM+ windows
Don’t forget to save your settings:
Saving window settings in N1MM+
How did the March OM Activity Contest go?
The difference was immediately apparent: much less interference, and even several clear frequencies on the first call. But I’m not starting with the call—I’m starting with the connection to Tibor OM3SEM:
Tibor is a regular participant in various HF contests, but this time he was complaining about interference, so I had to be extra patient before we managed to make the connection.
PSV and SWM2 wattmeter
Subsequent contacts, however, come in rapid succession, and I’m giving more stations higher numbers than I’m receiving. It’s harder to work all the multipliers with QRP because some multipliers are represented by only one station, which either appears briefly or doesn’t work on call. Such a station can therefore only be worked by calling it out myself. An example is Cyro, OM7AAC, who also operates the club call sign OM3KWZ. Therefore, working on my own call is a necessity even when operating on QRP.
The second rule is that I do not try to contact QRO stations that I know I can work later, such as OM7KW:
or OM1DK:
I manage to rack up twenty multipliers fairly quickly without calling. But moving up by two more multipliers takes longer. I see in the table that I’m missing multiplier “V.” I’d already heard Ľubo OM1AVV on the air with another station, so it was clear that this multiplier was within reach. Since I’m familiar with his operating style, I decided to keep calling him even though long stretches went by without any new contacts. But my hunch was confirmed—shortly before the end of the OM Activity Contest, Ľubo OM1AVV called:
The log shows 55 contacts and 24 multipliers. The hunt for multipliers paid off.
