To learn to break the pileup, be the guy running the pileup. Doing POTA/SOTA gives you good experience with smaller pileups. It really helps to be on the receiving end because you're learning how guys are breaking the pile. Now you can take that knowledge and try breaking pileups with that technique.
Having been on the receiving end of the pileup, Randy gives so much solid advice especially with etiquette. Guys who try to bludgeon their way through my pileups.... I intentionally don't work them. It'd be easy to work them so they go away, but then I'm rewarding bad behavior and other people start doing the same thing.
There are other reasons why a caller doesn't answer the CQer's exchange the first time: a) the callsign got covered up by another station calling on top of the CQer. The caller usually hears the exchange but doesn't know who it was for. b) Transmit locked out in multi-op and couldn't reply at exactly the right time.
On the "short callsigns aren't always good" - I chose mine purely for being good phonetically, with no thought at all about CW. Then I started doing CW and thought "oh no, all those dahs, the weight of it" but in fact it makes it quite distinctive and it's not an issue.
Interesting to note the differences between contesting, DXing, and the more casual exchanges of POTA and QSO parties. Randy mentioned audio - that’s one of my worries because it is hard to check. All good information … and useful therapy session 😂
Yes, trying to get into the pileup. It's finding the appropriate time and patience. Lots of patience some of the operators may listen above the frequency and sim listing below. It varies it can do. Makes it harder when you when your qrp. It's a challenge though qrp is excellent I think. All the best, DX 73S G0HDA
increase speed when calling - this works for a select few people but I would say it doesn't for most everyone else. More often the problem is in the other direction - answering CQers at a speed much faster than the CQer is sending. Slow down, call once and get the QSO, instead of calling fast, getting ?, then sending again at same fast speed, then getting QRS, then finally slowing down to get your callsign understood and the QSO in the log.
Another habit that annoys me while running a pile up: the station I answer sends my callsign to me. I know my call and do not need it sent to me. The issue is that it costs the running station qsos eventually because it consumes time. For example if three stations do it in a row, I lose enough time that costs one more qso.
The one thing that bothers me “ I don’t know why” is hearing cq test their call , a moment of silence and boom test again right as I’m calling. 😂 this is a long lived thing in Europe I’m assuming.
I'm not a contester but I like to work DX whether it be on CW or single sideband. And I have managed to break pileups with my meager 100 watt station with an indoor antenna. So yeah I think it comes down to timing if you're a little off frequency and things like that but I've broken pileups. I really got to say this again I just I really think it's about timing and things like that 73 good video
Great to know! Thanks guys!!!
This is great info from experienced guys. Wonderful, thanks!
To learn to break the pileup, be the guy running the pileup. Doing POTA/SOTA gives you good experience with smaller pileups. It really helps to be on the receiving end because you're learning how guys are breaking the pile. Now you can take that knowledge and try breaking pileups with that technique.
Having been on the receiving end of the pileup, Randy gives so much solid advice especially with etiquette. Guys who try to bludgeon their way through my pileups.... I intentionally don't work them. It'd be easy to work them so they go away, but then I'm rewarding bad behavior and other people start doing the same thing.
Definitely a therapy session. I could relate to every word spoken!
“Randy needs a hug” 😂😂😂
There are other reasons why a caller doesn't answer the CQer's exchange the first time: a) the callsign got covered up by another station calling on top of the CQer. The caller usually hears the exchange but doesn't know who it was for. b) Transmit locked out in multi-op and couldn't reply at exactly the right time.
On the "short callsigns aren't always good" - I chose mine purely for being good phonetically, with no thought at all about CW. Then I started doing CW and thought "oh no, all those dahs, the weight of it" but in fact it makes it quite distinctive and it's not an issue.
I love your call Stuart! But it’s been a while. Hope u r well
Interesting to note the differences between contesting, DXing, and the more casual exchanges of POTA and QSO parties. Randy mentioned audio - that’s one of my worries because it is hard to check. All good information … and useful therapy session 😂
RE audio: For what it's worth I worked you during the recent NAQP SSB as N0MA. You sounded fantastic.
@ Thanks so much for sharing that. I really appreciate it!
The ultimate "fun" starts when YB stations call you by keying your call, then their call twice, followed by the report and their call again.
Yes, trying to get into the pileup. It's finding the appropriate time and patience. Lots of patience some of the operators may listen above the frequency and sim listing below. It varies it can do. Makes it harder when you when your qrp. It's a challenge though qrp is excellent I think. All the best, DX 73S G0HDA
'You have to be able to recognize your call'. LOL. True, but sometimes at 35+ wpm, that can be difficult. Especially with calls with lots of dits.
increase speed when calling - this works for a select few people but I would say it doesn't for most everyone else. More often the problem is in the other direction - answering CQers at a speed much faster than the CQer is sending. Slow down, call once and get the QSO, instead of calling fast, getting ?, then sending again at same fast speed, then getting QRS, then finally slowing down to get your callsign understood and the QSO in the log.
Another habit that annoys me while running a pile up: the station I answer sends my callsign to me. I know my call and do not need it sent to me. The issue is that it costs the running station qsos eventually because it consumes time. For example if three stations do it in a row, I lose enough time that costs one more qso.
73 de G6AD... that's G6AD in case you missed the first time Randy ;-)
Well played. 😂
The one thing that bothers me “ I don’t know why” is hearing cq test their call , a moment of silence and boom test again right as I’m calling. 😂 this is a long lived thing in Europe I’m assuming.
I'm not a contester but I like to work DX whether it be on CW or single sideband. And I have managed to break pileups with my meager 100 watt station with an indoor antenna. So yeah I think it comes down to timing if you're a little off frequency and things like that but I've broken pileups. I really got to say this again I just I really think it's about timing and things like that 73 good video
Absolutely brilliant as always. 2W0IEP 73.