How can you achieve a QRP performance that won't get lost even among stations with 20 times more power? Let's take a look at this together. How many factors would you guess?
Antenna used
A Moxon tribander on an RDM-12 mast, with an inverted-V antenna for 80m mounted below it
My personal favorite is the inverted-V on an RDM-12 mast. Based on experience, I’d guess that a horizontal loop is even better.
Location
The optimal location in year-round contests such as the OM Activity Contest is a variable matter.
Modulation
Finding the optimal modulation can be a lengthy process. The key is a suitable microphone. If the microphone does not provide a suitable signal, no further adjustment to the modulation will improve it. Subsequent adjustments to tone and compression involve finding the optimal balance.
Call Sign Recognition
Over months and years of operation, many contest participants become recognizable by their voice, operating style, frequency, or suffix.
Reception Capability
This is a challenging aspect that may not depend solely on the operator. In recent years, the level of interference has been increasing, so reception can sometimes be very difficult. However, the operator can certainly work on improving their ability to receive signals.
Good propagation conditions
Without suitable propagation conditions, contesting is impossible.
Operating speed
Contesting is also about speed. The sooner an operator decodes a call sign or code, the faster the next contact approaches.
A Combination of Call-and-Response and Search Operations
A contest takes place in a dynamically changing environment. Some stations prefer to operate only on a call-and-response basis, so you need to search for them and call them. Others only search. To make as many contacts as possible, you need to combine both modes of operation.
Luck
The lower the power, the more luck you need.
Why is the OM Activity Contest successful?
At first, it didn’t look like it would be a success. I start calling near the lower end of the frequency range. It’s usually a little less crowded there. But after just a few minutes, the interference level becomes unbearable. That’s probably why I make a mistake and enter OM5ERT instead of OM6ERT
So for the next 15 minutes, I scan the band and make contacts. On 3715 kHz, I make contact with OK2WYK, who regularly calls on this frequency
I also notice a gap 2 kHz lower and try calling. Stano OM8AQ calls right away. There’s quite a bit of interference, so after a moment I shift down a little further and finally manage to work SO2V. This is how I make QSOs with OM8DD, OM7CF, OK2BMI, OK2OLD, OK2UNC, and subsequently with others.
Ten minutes before the end, I’ve already logged over 60 contacts. I’m still managing to find new stations. The final contact is with Cyro, OM35SCBR
The last sequential number is 66, which, with 25 multipliers, equals 1,650 points.