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Hi All,

We spend a lot of time answering basic software questions here, but we don't have nearly enough discussion on how best to get the most from N3FJP software in actual use, which is a lot more fun and interesting!? I wanted to start this thread, not only to share some of the contesting techniques that I use, as it relates to our software here, but also to learn from you.? How do you utilize our software to get the most from your contesting experience?? I know we can enjoy learning and help each other to enhance our performance and fun on contest weekends!

To frame our discussion and give you a better sense of my use case, please know that even though I've been at this a long time, I am nowhere near being a top contester.? I still have a lot to learn and opportunities to improve.? That said, having made over 1,700 Qs in CQ WW DX and and over 1,500 in CQ WW DX CW this season, (thanks largely to the stellar conditions we've been enjoying), I might have a few insights to offer, especially in how I use our software to accomplish that, and have a ton of fun along the way.

We live in a residential neighborhood with a community association, so?I don't have a tower, but I do have some high trees in the back yard (hex beam spreaders painted brown blend really well into the trees).? In short, my station consists of:

- A fixed hex beam pointed NE for Europe, hanging from a tree limb at just over 30 feet.

- A fan dipole for 20/15/10 oriented to radiate NW / SE for Africa, AK, HI, VK, JA and Caribbean

- A 40M dipole radiating NE / SW (used primarily for EU)

- A 40M dipole radiating NW / SE for AK, HI, VK, JA and Caribbean

- A 160 / 80 fan dipole.

- My typical contest entry is Single Op, High Power, Assisted (assisted in my case is using DX spotting)

For me, putting 25 to 30 hours into a 48 hour contest weekend is a full effort, so I want to make the most of every hour I'm in the chair (which is typically very early morning until dinner time Saturday and Sunday, as I am an early to bed, early to rise guy).? With good conditions, for a major DX contest, I can typically expect a 1,000 - 1,500 Q effort.??

I should also mention that my contest style is mostly search and pounce.? I LOVE running a frequency when I can, but not being a big gun, conditions have to be really good for me to hold a frequency and sustain a run for any length of time in DX contests.? On the other hand, with DX spotting, I find search and pounce very easy and sustainable.? I can continue with minimal breaks for 13 - 14 hours each day.? In the tortoise and hare scenario, I'm definitely the tortoise, but with the advantage of our software tools, a tortoise on steroids and I'm gonna keep coming!? ?:)

So, with that preface, here's what I'm currently doing to maximize my fun and score:

1.? Rig Interface.? I use rig interface, so that I can click on DX Spots to tune immediately to the spot frequency.? Rig interface also takes care of changing bands in the software automatically, so I don't have to remember to.? Set up rig interface by clicking Settings > Rig Interface.

2.? DX Spotting.? I'm in awe of the patience and fortitude that those of you bring, who enjoy exclusively tuning manually, without the aid of DX spotting.? For my contesting style, I would be lost without it.??To enable DX Spotting, click Settings > DX Spotting > Configure.

Our contest software is built to maximize the streaming information that DX spotting provides, to make as many Qs and find as many mults as possible over the course of the contest weekend.? Here is how I set my filters for CQ WW DX CW:

Be sure to block contest duplicates, so that you know every spot you see is a new station to work.

Our software displays spots scrolling at the bottom of the form:

I actually use the scrolling list at the bottom the least.? It just lets me know if a new station / multiplier is spotted and what bands are most active.? If the multiplier is rare and first spotted, it is more productive for me to wait until the spot ages a bit, rather than attempt to get through when the pile is deep and big guns are calling.

The band map, when conditions are good, is my go to.? It servers as my checklist to work.? Even though multipliers (mults) are displayed in italics, I often just work right down the list and take the mutls as they come in order.? That actually helps me come to them when they may not have been spotted in a while, so they aren't as busy.

A setting that has REALLY helped my performance is clicking Settings > DX Spotting > Jump to Next Spot on Entry.? With this setting enabled, you are on the next station immediately upon pressing enter and it?eliminates the need for a mouse grab!? The few seconds and energy a mouse grab requires may not sound like much, but if it takes 5 seconds to grab your mouse, alter your gaze and move your arm to click on the next station, it adds up in both time and energy.? If you are making 1,000 Qs, that's over an hour and 20 minutes lost!? Try repeatedly reaching for your mouse and count.? You'll see!

When you jump to the next station, if it is no longer active, rather than having to do a mouse grab, just press, Ctrl + Shift + X to remove him from the list.? Then press Ctrl + Shift + Z to jump to the next station.? If he is still there but busy, press Ctrl + Shift + Z (but not X) so that he stays in the list.? You might be able to catch him on your next cycle through.

A point of clarification, when I say the next spot, that is in order of frequency, not of receipt from the cluster.? Jumping to the next spot, either on entry or keypress command always keeps you on the current band and jumps you to the next highest frequency spot, regardless of the age of the spot.? Only the DX spots lists clicks and World Map pin clicks will take you to different bands.

I keep this form on another monitor and use it to keep tabs on entities I might need.? If a mult hasn't been spotted for a while, I might jump over and try to work the entity.? By the way, there is great advice I hear often - don't try calling a station more than 3 times.? If he is that busy, circle back later.? Your score isn't budging if you aren't working anyone!? I try to adhere to that and usually do, though I confess I occasionally get sucked in.

The world map is a fantastic tool, especially when conditions start getting marginal to certain areas.? In addition to displaying entities that are still needed multipliers (those with the red center pin, like Lebanon above) and grabbing those when I can, when times occur where many of the stations are getting hard to work by cycling through the band map, I will find an area in the world where we still have good propagation and just keep banging that area for as along as I can.??

For example, as EU starts to close, much of the continent might be tough, but I discover I'm still getting through to Germany easily.? Well, I'll just keep clicking on Germany pins (and other countries close by) as along as that works.? Brazil is another great candidate after EU has closed.??

To keep your QSO rate up, pick common countries that guys have likely already worked, as they are less busy.? Wait for conditions to improve to tackle the mults.? Also keep in mind that unlike the band map, the world map click isn't band specific and that the top most pin for that entity is the most recent spot for that entity.? Right click the pin to remove it if you like.

The world map also displays the gray line terminator.? When you are in light and darkness is moving close to an area you are working, it is a signal that conditions will likely soon change and choosing a new band or area to work may soon be prudent.

Super Check Partial (SCP) is an invaluable tool, whether you are running a frequency or searching and pouncing.? Click Settings > Super Check Partial to download the SCP file and enable.??

In addition to being a great help when running a frequency, one of the ways I use SCP is to help be be aware of incorrectly spotted call signs.? When you jump to the next spot after pressing enter or clicking, if the spotted call doesn't show up in the SCP display in the Possible Duplicates window, pay extra attention to the call sigh the station is sending.? It may just be a new ham and be perfectly valid, but make sure the call is right.? By the way, if you are waiting for a guy to ID and he works a third station in a row without sending his call, he's wasting your time.? Move on.

Whatever your current contest level in station, ability or both, we have plenty of guys on HamDash that are right where you are.? Click Settings > Web Upload Contest Status to configure.

I keep two iterations of HamDash open.? One that filters specifically for our club and the other that displays everyone.? That sense of camaraderie as we all journey through the contest weekend is so much fun!? Rather than feeling like a lone wolf, you have a wonderful sense of shared experience.? For me, chasing the guy just ahead, or trying to keep ahead of the guy who is coming up on my tail is a great motivator, tremendous fun and keeps me in the chair!

For my contesting style, it is all about making the next Q as quickly as possible.? We've designed our software specifically to facilitate that, with the combination of the DX Spotting tools and rig interface.? We've also made it easy to identify needed multipliers that you should work when you can, but shouldn't linger on if you can't.

I hope that you found something in this useful that you will enjoy chewing on, in addition to some delicious Thanksgiving fare!? I would love to see you use some insights here to help you blow by me on HamDash in the next contest!? I would also love to hear some of your techniques, too!

And by the way, Kimberly, Chris and I are very, very thankful for all of you, your continued support, encouragement, helping to answer questions and continuing to spread the word about our software!? We are very blessed and grateful for each of you!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

73, Scott

N3FJP