Thanks for the very interesting observations, Mike.

I'll be interested in what others have to say.

I guess this contest simply was a bit of an unusual experience for me, given 
the friendlier nature of the many other contests I have been in recently.

But, again, this is just based on my limited experience so far, so I 
acknowledge that some of my thoughts might not be totally well-founded.

73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike Duke, K5XU" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 12:02 PM
Subject: Re: thoughts on the ARRL International DX CW Contest


>I have played in the contest for maybe a total of 2 hours thus far,
> mostly on 10 and 15, but a little time on 20 earlier today, and a half
> hour or so on 40 meters on Friday night.
>
> I too am running 100 watts, since that's all the power I have.
>
> The only time I ever hear the obvious big gun stations call cq in any
> contest is when there is a lull in the number of stations calling
> them. This usually occurs just as the band is beginning to open, and
> when it is about to close. Or, as often happens when 10 meters is open
> to a limited area, when the big gun has more or less worked every
> station on the band. Yesterday, for instance, I think I worked every
> station in South America that was on 10 meters. Several times I would
> hear some pretty amazing signals from down there call cq repeatedly,
> and maybe get answered by 1 station every minute or so.
>
> As for hunt and pounce, I think there is an unwritten rule somewhere
> that states: "If you are caught hunting and pouncing, you are no
> longer a certified big gun." They simply don't operate that way.
>
> Hunt and pounce is my preferred method of operation, especially for
> field day. I tune the band, pouncing on the big signals first, then
> the next layer, etc. That's exactly what I have done this weekend, and
> haven't called cq at all.
>
> I have heard many stateside stations calling cq, especially on 20 and
> 40 meters, and a few on 15. Most of those I have heard calling go
> unanswered for several calls.
>
> What breaks me up is this now accepted practice of calling and
> acknowledging stations at a reasonable speed, then stepping on the
> passing gear as it were when the report is sent. Some of these clowns
> really get carried away with that burst of speed. Yeah, I know the
> logic behind the practice; more contacts per minute. Everybody knows
> they are getting a 59 report anyway, so don't waste any more time than
> necessary to send it. Nevertheless, I still think it's somewhat of a
> hot dog mentality.
>
> Go ahead and call me an "Old Buzzard." I'll wear the title with a
> proud Smile!
>
> K5XU
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Tom Behler" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Sunday, February 19, 2012 10:21 AM
> Subject: Some thoughts on the ARRL International DX CW Contest
>
>
> Hi, all.
>
> I suspect I spent approximately 9 hours of operating time this
> week-end,
> playing in the ARRL International DX CW contest, and my results were
> somewhat disappointing.
>
> I have some thoughts on the contest, and would like the reactions of
> others
> as well.
>
> To give you background, I decided to stick to 100 watts, since it was
> a CW
> contest.  I used my Alpha Delta DXCC antenna, and operated on 10, 15,
> 20,
> and 40 meters.
>
> Band conditions weren't the greatest, in my opinion, but I have seen
> worse.
>
> Here's where my disappointment comes in:
>
> I did mainly S and P work, which is where I got most of my contacts.
> However, I did spend some time sending out CQ's on the various bands,
> with
> only a handful of contacts.
>
> To me, the contest seemed like more of a situation where big gun DX
> stations
> were competing with one another to get the highest score, with very
> few DX
> stations actually roaming out there trying to give contacts to folks
> like us
> from the states.  It also seemed like there were not terrific numbers
> of US
> stations calling CQ.
>
> I guess the whole contest environment seemed a bit strange to me.
>
> Then again, I'm the first to admit that I'm a relative newby to
> contesting,
> and therefore, have very much to learn.
>
> Anyway, I'd be interested in the thoughts and experiences of others
> who
> might have played in the contest this week-end, or in previous years.
>
> 73 from Tom Behler: KB8TYJ
>