Lloyd has covered it very well.

For anyone who wants to try it on 40 meters, don't under estimate your 
dipole or G5RV. I have 39 countries confirmed through LOTW on 40 meters 
using only 100 watts to an inverted V at 30 feet in the center. I hope 
I can manage enough new ones this weekend to bring my 40 meter total up to 50.

Give 40 a try around your local sunset for some amazing signals from 
Europe, and from South America. At my Mississippi QTH, I hear more big 
signals from Europe than I do from South America, but there will be 
plenty of signals from both places that can be worked easily enough.

I have a bit of trouble hearing Africa, probably due to the low 
elevation of my antenna, but I have worked a few from there as well.

Around local sun rise, you will hear Japan, VK, ZL, and, if you are 
lucky, other parts of Asia.


There are some real monster antennas out there on 40 meters. Let those 
antennas work for you by bringing your signal to the receiver of the DX 
stations.

I am by no means a heavy hitter on 80 meters. I only have 10 countries 
confirmed there, mostly in the Caribbean.

For casual operating during this particular contest, 20 or 15 meters 
should yield good results, even if you do not have a beam. If 10 meters 
opens, which it has a little bit this week, then so much the better for 
easier operating.

Check 10 meters occasionally just so you won't miss any openings up there.

No matter where you are operating, if you can hear them, call them. 
This is especially true during the last 2 or 3 hours of the contest on 
Sunday afternoon when everybody who has been at it all weekend is 
starving for new contacts from anywhere just to run the head count up a 
little higher.

Have fun.

-- 
Mike Duke, K5XU