I think this one deserves to be read :
Rag LA5HE also JW5HE OZ8RO NONTESTING FOR BEGINNERS Chateau La Garrigue is a very enjoyable wine from the vineyard of Derek F5VEX and Val G4MCD Austin. It was whilst partaking of a few glasses of this excellent Bergerac Red, during dinner at the Fredrichshaven Hamfest 2001, that several well-known DXers and myself realised much had been written about the science, art and discipline of contesting, but very little had been done to encourage people to take up Nontesting. This article will hopefully rectify the situation. Definition of Nontesting: An element of Amateur Radio that can be undertaken with least effort and knowledge. Skills Base There are many skills that the disinterested nontest operator can develop: Station Cobbling, Antenna Notworks, Bitofalift knowledge and Waffling to name but most. Station Cobbling - Simplicity is the keyword here. A radio with matching speaker, fist or preferably desk microphone, all band antenna tuning unit, log book, note pad and a supply of pencils. There is a wide choice of radios. Some people prefer the older type of equipment, with no bells and whistles whilst others prefer the latest model with numerous bells and whistles. The matching speaker is necessary to maintain the brand line. Desk microphones are very useful when waffling since they have a lock button, which can be used to keep the microphone switched on. It really is quite tiring when gripping the pressel button continuously on a fist microphone for half an hour or so. When choosing a tuning unit, you should take account of your local neighbourhood. With close neighbours, many of the associated problems of interference that you may cause can be reduced by choosing an SPC type. The main advantage being that you will not need to reduce the power from your transmitter yourself because the unit will do it automatically for you. Your favourite emporium, as nontesters call their retail outlet, will stock various types and you may even be able to find a matching one. Non-enthusiasts living out in the countryside may wish to consider building their own matching unit, in this case the parallel tooned circuit will provide more gain than the SPC type, though it doesn�t have the auto power reduction facility. Antenna Notworks - The first point to learn here is despite all those knowalls tell you, there is absolutely no connection between antennas and bitofalifts. �If you can hear them you can work them.� It is no secret that by far best antenna is the G5, formerly known as the G5RV or sometimes the 5RV. The half-sized version works just as well as does adding loading coils. Both can be bought quite readily which not only means freeing up valuable waffling time but also saves spending hours supposedly enjoying yourself assembling masts, rotators, beams and antenna switching systems. The G5 is a versatile aerial that can be made to work on any band, but you do have to be careful on the orientation. Remembering your theory, a dipole always shows the classic figure 8 pattern, hence the well known saying, �My G5 lies East-West so therefore my best direction is North-South� Usually heard on 80m from a nontester using a G5 25ft high. This is a proven fact of Antenna Notworking and shouldn�t be confused with the mumbo-jumbo from so-called experts. These people often will try to convince you that antenna height matters and will throw silly phrases around such as �High Angle Radiation.� Bitofalift is the technical word used to describe how nontesters use the radio waves to establish waffle-mode with each other. It originated when a group of nontesting enthusiasts observed that at certain times on 40m, particularly when using a low G5, they were able to make contacts over a short range, say within the UK or UK to near Europe. Don�t worry, there is nothing technical about bitofalift, though some of the techies like to talk about Spradic Ease and Solder Flux. Waffling - This is the real reason for taking up nontesting. The hobby is all about transmitting and a good waffler is able to make long transmissions without having to resort to the ludicrous 59 001 business. It is important to repeat what the other person has said to you, partly because he will probably have forgotten what he had said and also to let him see that in fact you were actually listening to him. This will aid his confidence for his next long over. It is considered polite and good technique to respond to his comments in the order in which they were spoken. A detailed reply is helpful. After this has been done, you may then make some comments of your own on other subjects. Many wafflers hunt in packs, taking it in strict rotation who will transmit next. This is most important, particularly with senior members as they may otherwise take offence. There are several areas of etiquette to observe here. Firstly, you should always �Pass it to .� � ignoring any snide comments such as �but is IT contagious?� If you are in a Net, then always list who takes it next and then who takes it and so on. This is much more gentlemanly. Using phrases such as � �. to take� and �in the group� rather than ��. to take it� or �and the group� will enhance your standing in the Net. A very useful technique is to use QSL where-ever possible. This is the sign of a seasoned non-operator. The voice should be slightly raised when saying this to give the impression that you are making a statement and not requesting one of those expensive card things. For instance, �I am using a half sized G5 here, QSL� It also indicates that you have stopped transmitting. At this stage, it is necessary to introduce some more advanced Nontesting techniques, as a few Nontesters have admitted actually enjoying �chasing DX�, as it is known. Calling CQ is the best way, listening just wastes transmitting time, when in a pack, you should always indicate this by adding ��. with company.� This serves two purposes, the choice DX can snag two Nontesters in one go, but more importantly, your companion(s) will beam with pride at having the title transmitted on the airwaves, (another good word to use). It is a proven fact that CQs which are ended by �Over, over� are guaranteed to find more DX. This is possibly due to the extra transmitting time used. If you do choose to listen for DX, you might here some very loud stations, saying they want DX only. Ignore that and call them, because they appreciate anyone telling them how load they are. These people are just egoists who pretend they are working some distant station that you can�t here. The Leest, the final piece of advice and probably overall the most important is wherever possible join a leest. If you here lots of stations on one frequency, it will most likely be people trying to join a leest. You can always tell because the controller will keep saying �I have you.� The beauty of a leest is that you actually get to work the station twice. Firstly, when you hear the magic words �I have you� then secondly when you are invited to make a contact. Some people prefer not to bother with the second contact as it just wastes time. I do hope this article has been helpful and that it serves to enhance your nontesting. You probably won�t hear me as I will be working some choice DX or operating in a Contest. Chris Burbanks G3SJJ Subscribe/unsubscribe, feedback, FAQ, problems http://njdxa.org/dx-chat To post a message, DX related items only, [EMAIL PROTECTED] This is the DX-CHAT reflector sponsored by the NJDXA http://njdxa.org
