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1-10 of 17 messages
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Setting up a Contest Station???
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by KI4OSD on November 29, 2006
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If I were going to set up a new station for contesting what would be the items that I would need.Good antennas maybe a beam of some type I am limited on space so a large beam would not work.What about a good radio I am parcial to Kenwood but I am trying to build a contest station so give me some suggestions on what one would have in his or her station.Maybe a computer for logging but what logging program to go with?? Please I am interested in everybodies opinion is and what your idea of a contest station has to have or need.
Thanks
Shane
KI4OSD
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by K8GU on November 30, 2006
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Until you respond to N0IU's question, I can give you some generallities assuming you're talking about HF contests:
1. Develop station-operator synergy. You want a station that's extremely easy to operate. Interface your computer to your radio(s) and antenna switching. Most ops I know still control their rotors by hand. Consider the software (logging, packet spots, "Geochron", etc) you want to have active: you'll probably want one or two nice big CRT or LCD monitors. Get a comfortable chair; you'll be spending lots of time in it.
2. Be LOUD into your target areas. Take a look at the scores from the contests you want to enter. Figure out where most of the entrants are and maximize your antennas for that. Surprisingly, from the eastern US, one of your best antennas for domestic contests is a 40-meter dipole between about 30 and 50 feet high. KT3Y is always really stinkin' loud with his wire beams, too.
3. Have good ears. Buy the best receiver and antennas you can afford. Look for receivers that have high blocking and IMD dynamic range. Track-down noise relentlessly. If you live in a noisy area, consider a noise-canceller and separate receiving antennas.
That should get you going...this doesn't have to be expensive at all, by the way.
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by KI4OSD on November 30, 2006
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Let's say our budget is $8,000 I know that is low but to some begining in contest that maybe high.Thanks
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by N4OGW on December 1, 2006
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Even more important question: how much space do you have for antennas? Any deed restrictions? Can you put up a tower?
Tor
N4OGW
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by KI4OSD on December 1, 2006
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For the sake of this question we have room for 1 50ft tower and enough room for dipoles and say the antenna has to have a turning radius of 6ft to as big as 12 ft.so lets see how that changes things
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by NN3W on December 7, 2006
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12 feet is not a big turning radius. That equates a small tribander.
At 50 feet, assuming you're not too far north, I'd opt for a two element triband quad. Arguably better gain at lower height and better SWR response than you'd get with smaller tribanders (e.g., TH3 or TA33jr).
Regardless of funds, you need to maximize your ability to hear. Getting that quad in the air and up as high as you can is your first step.
I'd then get a good radio. FT-1000MP would be my choise. I'd then invest some money in a linear. Get one that does full break-in QSK and does not blow easily. The Alphas are great, but extremely expensive. The Ameritrons are decent. Heathkits are good as long as you 1) modify them for QSK and 2) change out the 110 VAC keying relay.
I think Drake L4Bs and L7s would work.
Other thoughts?
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by N6AJR on December 30, 2006
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I would spend my $8,000 this way,
used original orion $2500
2 or 3 element steppir beam ( 6m to 20 m) either $995 or $1400
home brew 40, 80, 160m wires ( 25 bucks for wire)
build an desk to hold it all $400 for cabinets and countertops for a big desk
and buy a decent amp, at least 500 watts, like an als 600 ($800 used 1300 new) 811h ($800 new) or good used amp for 160 to 10 m including warc, that uses cheap tubes ( 300z's or 572's or 811's) or solid state.
solid state is better because you just band switch and don't have to tune the amp, hand in search and pounce.
call it a grand for a good medium amp.
and about $100 + or - for a good logging program,
a couple of hundred bucks for cable, connectors, jumpers etc, voice keyers, key and keyer.
and $700 for a good desk top computer with a flat screen monitor use with the rest of it for contesting.
I have 11 hf rigs and 3 big amps and other antennas ( ma5b , dipole, 5btv, solpers etc) but for contesting I use basicalliy an automatic station.
I use the orion and a computer with a logging program and the 3ele steppir and a gap voyager, a voice keyer a bencher key in the orions keyer, and an alpha 87A.
so I see a spot on the logging program, and click on it , which prefills some of the information, and turns the steppir to that frequency, them moves the radio to that frequency and kicks the amp there too. first dit or word autotunes the amp and I make the contact. tab tab , enter and its in the log and click on another spot.
I usually only run 15 or 20 hours on a 48 hour contest and have what you call a little pistol station, not a big gun by along ways. I usually run 350 to 800 contacts in a contest. I enjoy it.
but you can set your self up a nice station for about $6000 or so and save $2000 for new toys, or perhaps to treat the XYL to a day at the spa.. that will certainly help your station..:)
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by WA4DOU on January 16, 2007
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I think you're putting the cart before the horse. Tell us about your existing setup inc. antennas. Do you have any contesting experience, if so, to what extent?
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RE: Setting up a Contest Station???
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by WA4DOU on January 17, 2007
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Sage advise to a budding coin collector is to spend at least 2 years learning before even considering buying a coin.
Equally good advise to a person who thinks they might be interested in contesting would be to jump in, get their feet wet using whatever they have available, acquire proficiency, and wait for experience to kick in.
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