CW Contesting

• Start at higher speed (34-38 WPM), then slow down as the rate falls (26-28 WPM.)

• Vary the CW speed frequently. Consider two ``pre-set'' speeds such as 36 and 30 WPM. Toggle between them (``Alt-V'' in NA.)

• If a pileup grows, increase speed until it becomes manageable.

• Tune RIT 300 Hz +/- after every CQ. People will call you off to the sides.

• Go up high in the band (> .050) to CQ more slowly, as you will get some stations that won't call you lower in the ``fast track.'' Look for mults (> .100) especially the second day.

• When moving a CW station, the convention is to move up the band if the ``QSY frequency'' is occupied. Move up until the first clear spot.

• In contests with a lot of QSYing (such as the NCJ North American QSO Party), if you're CQing on a ``round number'' like 7040 or 3550, you'll be hit with QSYers. If you're on a half-freq like 3551.5, the chances are less that you'll be bothered.