By Rich Cutler, WC6H
Schedule the time in your calendar to operate the contest. Get focused on making your best effort this year. Give the contest 100% effort for the time you have to operate.
I like to go to 3830 scores and copy my last year’s contest score and place it on the operating table so I can see how I did last year. This gives me a benchmark to beat.
In the California QSO Party, you need to be calling CQ all the time. People are looking for you; this is not the time to spend lots of time searching and pouncing. I wait about a second to a second and a half before my next CQ if no one answers me. Calling CQ is like fishing; if your line is not in the water, no fish will bite.
Keep your exchange to just the serial number and the county you’re in. You need to set the tempo of your exchange. If you sound like you mean business, they will respond in kind.
Plan your off times to be the most efficient so you’re not off when the rates are still high.
Most of all, have FUN.
Good Luck, 73’s Rich WC6H
