On Jul 8, 2022, at 9:38 PM, N1RM - Rick Miller <rick@...> wrote:

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Wow, great job Chuck!

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You bring up an interesting point that I have been thinking about.

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Whether it’s the fast CW guys, or the “big gun” stations that are a breeze to pick out in a pileup, I found it easy to get into a “rate mode”.? This event has become so popular that there a many times where there is plenty of such “low hanging fruit”.? I was trying to find a strategy to work the “pileup disadvantaged” but it was hard.? I often listened for uncertain voices or a weak tailgate to try to pick them out.? I think I picked up a few little pistols or newbies that way, but it was hard.

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Like most others that have described their CW operation, I found 24-26 WPM CQs with immediate QRS to the answering speed worked very well.? I did call CQ 13COL instead of just CQ 13, and I may change to the shorter CQ next year.? I think the extra letters just slowed things down since the guys that could actually copy it already know who I was and why I was there, and it didn’t do any good for the guys that couldn’t copy it!

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Sound like you had fun, and provided fun to others, which is what it’s all about.

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73,

Rick

N1RM

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From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Chuck K4QS via groups.io
Sent: Friday, July 08, 2022 6:59 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [K2B-13Colonies2022] Feedback and comments

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I worked 100% CW.? The callers were well behaved for the most part.? There was often a big gap in operating skills though.? Many callers I know and have worked at 35WPM plus in other events or contests while others were new hams or at least new to CW.? That made for some interesting moments, sort of like driving 45MPH in the left lane of the Interstate.? I tried to tailor my style to the audient at the time.? Mainly, I picked a CQ speed somewhere in the middle to keep both the QRQ and QRS crowd interested.? Slowing down when needed or speeding up when I knew who was on the other end.

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I made 1353 QSOs.? I hope I didn't leave anyone behind.

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73,

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Chuck K4QS

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On Friday, July 8, 2022 at 06:35:00 PM EDT, Ian Callahan via groups.io <iancallahan63@...> wrote:

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I was a late arrival, only working Wednesday and Thursday for just over 4 hours with 13 QSO’s. Didn’t have time to think of any feedback, etc. but I had a great time doing it and hope y’all will invite me back to help next year.
Ian KN4TBG
> On Jul 8, 2022, at 17:48, N1RM - Rick Miller <rick@...> wrote:
>
> ?My 2 cents:
>
> 1. David should be the prototype for 13C coordinators.? Always a positive and encouraging attitude and stayed right on top of things.? We are very fortunate!
>
> 2. Jammers:? Many already know this, but the only way to get rid of jammers is to make them realize that they are not being effective.? I only ran into serious ones on phone.? Fortunately the auto notch in the radio eliminated the carrier.? I was able to work several stations even though sensitivity was taking a hit.? When I couldn't hear anyone else, I continued making "phantom" QSOs (or were they?) until the idiot moved on to more fertile ground.? I never had one hang around more than a minute or two.? Bottom line, continue to sound like you're having a great time.? That is an almost universal turn-off for such silly people.
>
> 3. SSB Pileups:? I had quite a few and they were a blast.? Almost everyone was respectful and well behaved, which made things really easy and fun.? One technique I used when things got too crazy was calling by call area number, especially in conjunction with current beam heading. The key is to manage the pileup so that folks can hear that you realize their time is important to them, and that you know what you're doing.? It's possible to be friendly, courteous, and FAST - it just takes some practice.? IMO we only exist to hand out QSOs to as many interested folks as possible and I try to operate accordingly.? Others have different opinions and I respect them, but that one works for me.? It's also the most fun for me (enlightened self-interest?).
>
> 4. CW Pileups: They can be more problematic because of the zero beat problem created by the "click and call" gang. When I teach new hams I always stress that you must listen before you transmit, but there are thousands of hams that have not taken one of my classes ?.? I was on the verge of going split a couple of times, but I was able to work through the pile.
>
> 5. Having fun: most of the folks you work will mimic your attitude.? If you are crisp, efficient, polite and just sound happy, most of the folks calling you will feed off that positive energy.
>
> I had a great time this year thanks to David, the whole K2B team, and the hundreds of hams I worked in my shifts.
>
> I'll be back for more next year!
>
> Thanks team!
> Rick
> N1RM
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of David Wright via groups.io
> Sent: Friday, July 08, 2022 1:22 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [K2B-13Colonies2022] Feedback and comments
>
> Thanks, I wanted to start a separate thread for any comments or suggestions.
> So this one is fine!
>
> Here's what 13 Colonies web site says for exchange:
>
> The exchange for this event is:
> CALL SIGN
> RS / RST / RSQ
> STATE / PROVINCE or COUNTRY
> Sometimes I asked for name; usually, people volunteered it, so I did also.
>
> I think the one-hour time slot is a fantastic idea.? I was going to recommend that myself.
> Not because of commitment(s), but because two hours can be physically grueling.
> On 20 meters, with jammers, guys plopping down 1 Khz away, weak signals fading in and out, DX calling off the back of the beam.
> Not to mention the pile-ups.
>
> Tnxs also on the spreadsheet idea.
>
> David, K2WPM
> K2B Coordinator – 13 Colonies
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Mike Dodd via groups.io
> Sent: Friday, July 8, 2022 12:45 PM
> To: [email protected]
> Subject: [K2B-13Colonies2022] Feedback and comments
>
> This was my first time participating, and I came away with a few thoughts I'd like share with the group, and especially with David.
>
> ----------
> TIME SLOTS: I was frustrated by the two-hour time slots on the sign-up sheet. Several times I couldn't commit to two hours due to time constraints. One-hour slots provide more flexibility and encourage signing up.
>
> Look at it this way: Suppose I can't commit to a two-hour session from 7pm-9pm, but I can and do commit to 7-8 and start operating then. Now, at 7:50, I discover I CAN operate until 9pm, so I open the sheet to see if 8-9 is still available. It is, so I sign up and keep on operating.
> Easy-peasy.
>
> ----------
> SUGGESTION: Modify the sign-up sheet to lock the row and column headers so they're always visible. On the current sheet, they scroll off the screen as I move around the sheet.
>
> For example, if I want to sign up for 20CW at 7-9pm, the band/mode and time headers disappear as I tab from cell-to-cell and row-to-row, so I don't know which cell to look at. Hheaders should always be visible.
>
> This is a standard operation in most spreadsheets. Here's an article:
> <>
>
> ----------
> SUGGESTION: I think 13 Colonies should eliminate the Name from the exchange. Only a few stations ever sent their name, and I didn't even know it was part of the exchange until well into the event (OK, I didn't RTFM). I didn't hear ANY K2(x) stations sending a name. Why have it if no one sends it?
>
>
> Comments, anyone?
>
> --
> 73, Mike N4CF
> Louisa County, VA USA
> Elecraft K4d / KPA500 / KAT500
> Carolina Windom up 45'
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