ARRL 10 Meter Prep: Expert Tactics You Need to Know!

"The Contest Crew" is Back! This week’s episode dives into the ARRL 10 Meter Contest—a one-band bonanza that’s as unpredictable as the sunspot cycle. Kevin Thomas W1DED gathers his usual all-star panel of contest experts: Chris KL9A, Randy K5ZD, and Bill W9KKN to share tips, tales, and tactics for one of the most accessible and exciting contests in the amateur radio calendar.

Randy explains the unique charm of 10 meters, a band that blends the thrill of HF with the quirks of VHF. Chris reminisces about his last big 10-meter run, revealing strategies for maximizing mixed-mode multipliers. Bill adds his take on propagation quirks and why this contest levels the playing field—even for operators with modest setups.

Plus, the Contest Crew tackles listener questions from AJ NK4O, covering everything from chair preferences (no, Bill doesn’t need a seatbelt… probably) to logger tips, RBN secrets, and ergonomic hacks for contesting marathons.

Whether you're a seasoned operator or gearing up for your first 10-meter foray, this episode is packed with ideas to up your game. With the sunspots surging, don’t miss your chance to join the action and rack up QSOs from all corners of the globe.

Subscribe to W1DED Worldwide Ham Radio and be part of the conversation! Who knows—your question might make it into the next episode. See you on the bands! 🌐

00:00 Kevin Thomas Introduction - Opening the discussion with the contest crew and overview of the ARRL 10 Meter contest.

00:19 Contest Overview - Randy explains contest rules, modes, multipliers, and propagation expectations.

01:31 Chris’s Past Experience - Chris shares his memorable experience from a 2002 ARRL 10 Meter contest.

02:28 CW vs Phone Strategy - Discussing the strategy for balancing CW and phone modes during the contest.

03:24 Bill’s Remote Contesting - Bill reflects on his experiences contesting remotely, including unique propagation challenges.

04:35 Contest Exchange Details - Randy outlines the exchange requirements for US, Canadian, and DX stations.

05:49 Multi-Single Plans - Randy and Mark’s plans for this year’s Multi-Single effort.

06:11 Participation Numbers - Randy estimates the number of logs submitted for the contest.

06:48 Accessible Contesting - Discussion on how the ARRL 10 Meter contest is achievable with modest setups.

08:30 Antenna Performance - Comparing big antennas versus low-level systems during high sunspot activity.

08:43 Self-Spotting - Exploring the rules and utility of self-spotting in the contest.

10:11 Listener Questions - Introduction to listener questions, focusing on contest preparation and ergonomics.

10:47 Office Chairs - Contest crew shares their preferences and experiences with office chairs during contests.

14:49 Standing During Contests - Pros and cons of standing while operating in long contests.

15:32 Track Pads and Mice - Insights on hardware preferences for efficient logging during contests.

16:23 Wireless vs Wired Keyboards - Advantages and drawbacks of wireless keyboards in contest settings.

17:26 Monitor Setup - Optimal number, placement, and usage of monitors during contests.

19:34 Logging Software Features - Key features and preferences in logging software for contesting.

24:19 Recommendations for Beginners - Suggestions for new contesters on choosing and learning logging software.

27:40 Recording Contests - Benefits of using logging software to record contest operations for review.

28:48 RBN Setup - Tips for managing Reverse Beacon Network spots and filtering strategies.

30:39 Spot Filtering Preferences - Different approaches to handling and prioritizing RBN spots.

34:48 Blacklisting Problematic Spots - Importance of managing erroneous spots to improve contesting efficiency.

36:12 Spot Lifespan - Setting optimal time limits for spots to remain visible in logging software.

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