Whether you are an accomplished contester or traffic handler, it comes down to the same skill set of being able to get information from one point to another. The contester usually does this with rapid exchanges of minimal information, but requires considerable skill in hearing weak signals in the noise and "pulling them out." And doing it with consistent accuracy if they are a successful contester.
The traffic handler rarely has this kind of challenge but it can happen with poor band conditions. Most traffic handling/emergency work consists of being passive rather than active but then when the message is being sent or received, requires accuracy for a much longer exchange than a contester. But the skill set is really about the same because once you handle many words or callsigns, you get a lot of practice copying correctly. My experience with new or inexperienced hams has been shockingly poor with their inability to copy basic messages with solid and clear signals. In terms of equipment, there is no question at all that a contester will do well with emergency lashups. We see this every time at Field Day. The less experienced hams are not sure of what to do. We don't have many hams in our county with actual traffic experience other than myself. But the active contesters/DXers are able to easily set up antennas and equipment in short order. The home QTH contesting antennas are not necessarily relevant for "local" HF work, but could be useful for getting out of an area under some conditions. In most cases though, you don't communicate through the contester's station if you are setting up for emergency locations. My wife pointed out to me a few minutes ago that it has consistently been the experienced contesting/DXing type hams who are the ones who tend to be much more efficient in handling traffic. Many of the newer and less experienced hams, and rag chewer types, such as casual operators, tend to be much less efficient in their operation, with wordy and rambling conversations rather than the more appropriate response you would prefer to see. 73, Rick, KV9U Rud Merriam wrote: > How much skill is needed to recognize the few symbols transferred during a > contest exchange? Does that translate to general transfer of information? > > Contesters specialize and tune their equipment. Does that translate into the > ability to quickly rig a dipole at an emergency center? > > The former EC for my county is a contester. He recognizes the difference in > skills. > > I tried to communicate on HF with him a few weeks ago. I had just got my > fence dipole antenna installed. He and I could not communicate. I was able > to communicate with others in the county. His contesting setup just went > right over my head since it was focused for DX. He probably would have done > better with his backup antenna stapled to the rafters in his attic. > > > Rud Merriam K5RUD > ARES AEC Montgomery County, TX > http://TheHamNetwork.net > >
