RST Contesting (An RST Special Interest Group)
The RST Contest SIG is a Special Interest Group (SIG) that provides a venue for members of RST and their friends, family, and colleagues to explore the radio sport aspect of Amateur Radio. The RST Contest SIG uses the callsign AK7AZ for all of its contest activities.
For more information about the RST Contest SIG, feel free to contact either of the RST Contest SIG Co-Chairmen listed below.
Staff
Position | Member | Contact |
---|---|---|
Co-Chairmen | Bill K6WSC | [email protected] |
Bill, K6WSC BIO
Bill K6WSC was originally licensed in 1969. He was largely QRT for 37 years until 2008 when he got hooked on the Sport of Amateur Radio, Contesting. Primarily a CW operator, Bill enjoys both DX and domestic contests. He is a member of Radio Society of Tucson, Arizona Outlaws Contest Club, Southern Arizona DX Association, and the Catalina Radio Club. He is the Chairman of the Arizona QSO Party, and past President of the Southern Arizona DX Association.
Bill began with a basic station. He had a transceiver running 100 watts.
His antenna was an Alpha Delta DX-CC multi-band dipole strung up in a very
compromised location. The center was hung from the chimney of his house. The
wire elements were strung out parallel to the rain gutters and only a few
inches away from the stucco on his house. Under that stucco was a very large
area of "chicken wire". And so, he started out. After "getting his feet wet"
he won some contests and did well in others. As time passed, he became a
competitive operator. Now he has an Icom IC-7300 transceiver feeding a hex
beam for 20 15 & 10 meters plus a Butternut vertical for 40 and 80 meters.
But these antennas are not high up on a tower. The base of the hex beam is
24 feet up on a guyed pole. The base of the vertical is up 8 feet on a pole
using 4 radials for 40 meters and 2 radials for 80 meters. For a long time,
he limited his power to 100 watts. Last year and this year he used a small
amplifier raising his power to 500 watts. With this increased power level,
he can more easily hold a run frequency and realize a higher rate of
contacts. So how does he compete as well as he does? Two reasons come to my
mind. First, over time he has gained experience operating in contests - one
step at a time. Second, he stays in his chair and goes at it for several
hours at a stretch - another skill acquired over time. YOU TOO CAN DO THIS -
give it a try. You might find it to be a lot of fun. Bill will probably give
you the following advice if you ask him: (1) Any station is a great station
to get started in contesting. (2) Start out in the various state and/or area
QSO parties. Among his favorites are the California QSO Party, the 7th Call
Area QSO Party and his personal pride (because he manages it) the Arizona QSO
Party. He also has fun operating during the annual ARRL Field Day. (3) You
probably have a computer so get a logging program and start using it. Bill
recommends N1MM. Bill is a Co-Leader in the Radio Society of Tucson
Contesting Special Interest Group.
Bill is very approachable and easy to talk to. Go find him at a club
meeting or contact him for additional information
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