W1DED Video. Top Contesting Secrets: Break Through Pile-Ups Like a Pro!
Randy Thompson, K5ZD, is fresh off logging over 6,000 QSOs in the World Wide Award program and brings serious—and seriously helpful—advice for anyone looking to sharpen their contesting skills. Joined by Chris Hurlbut, KL9A, this episode of Contest Crew dives deep into how operators can break through pile-ups, improve their rate, and avoid common pitfalls.
Randy doesn’t hold back as he shares his observations from the front lines of massive pile-ups, offering tips like calling off-frequency, timing your calls strategically, and sending your call only once (seriously—just once!). His candid feedback, bordering on venting, gets a playful counterpoint from Chris, who offers a virtual hug to lighten the mood. Together, they keep the conversation engaging, blending sharp contesting insights with humor.
Chris brings his own seasoned perspective, recalling stories of operators like KR2Q who excel with minimal power, and adds tips for navigating two simultaneous pile-ups. From recognizing your call when it’s returned to setting up crisp, clear audio for phone operations, this episode is packed with practical advice for both new and experienced contesters.
By the end, Randy’s “therapy session” turns into an insightful guide for anyone looking to up their game in ham radio contests.
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00:22 Introduction - Kevin introduces Randy K5ZD and Chris KL9A and sets the stage for contesting tips.
00:56 World Wide Award - Randy explains the World Wide Award program and leading the N1W team.
02:41 Breaking Pile-Ups - Tips on avoiding zero-beating, timing calls, and improving contest efficiency.
05:34 KR2Q and QRP - Chris shares a story of how KR2Q consistently breaks pile-ups with five watts.
09:09 CW Tips - Randy discusses speed, manual keys, and strategies for clear communication in CW contests.
16:42 Contesting Etiquette - Importance of brief calls, recognizing your call, and reducing over-calling.
20:17 Equipment and Audio - Randy emphasizes the importance of crisp audio for phone operations.
24:12 Learning Through Experience - Chris and Randy reflect on how low power and multi-ops improve contesting skills.
