Contests and POTA

 My experience of POTA activation on a contest weekend!

This weekend was the ARRL CW contest. I have never been a contester other than answering a few random CQs for contesters in the past. This weekend, I decided to take a plunge (well dip my toes). I had been working on getting my rig set up for integration with N1MM+ logger and had successfully tested it. Since my CW skills aren't the greatest, I decided to S&P (search and pounce) rather than calling CQ. This way I had the time to decode the callers call sign after hearing it multiple times.

Here's what I gleaned: Contesting (especially when running CQs) would require immense focus and is a test of endurance. I am not sure I can last more than a hour decoding CW at those speeds; or even if I will be able to decode callers on the first try. However, as a novice contester, I do recommend the S&P approach. It gives you an opportunity to listen to various styles of operation. In addition, you control who you respond to. The greatest advantage I found was that the entire world was available to you. I worked Asia (+Oceania), Africa, Europe and both Americas (including AK and HI)  with ease. There was almost no pileup and almost always got in on the first call to the station.  I was 100W max during my entire operation. Almost all the contesters were running 1KW stations that makes them an easy copy. I also believe they must have good antenna setups and hence can hear you better than most stations.

So why am I talking about this in a POTA blog? I need my POTA fix; contesting be darned! I went out both on Saturday and Sunday to activate K-1518. On Saturday, I activated around 1800 UTC. I found that I was able to get a slot on the bands relatively easy and completed my activation with ease. The only issue I ran into was my antenna (EuroCom vertical) fell down a couple of times in the windy conditions. I was not able to get the anchors in due to frozen ground! Note to self: Carry a mallet or a hammer to push the stakes in. 

On Sunday (near the final few hours of the contest) I activated around 2000 UTC. Now that proved to be a little difficult. The bands were full. Only 20m seemed possible as I did not get any RBN hits for my CQs on other bands. I thought I managed to find a an empty slot. But thrice I was run out (outgunned by a contester) off my frequency. Of the three who started CQs only one of them put out a QRL. Even then they did not even allow the time for me to respond to it. I am sure that contest-haters would pounce on it to extol the evil of contesters. That is not my intent here. I am just noting my observation that the bad reputation for discourteous contesters may not be without basis. For all I know, the contester could have been listening on the frequency and not heard my weak signal.  On the flip side, I had a few contesters who came back to me in response to my CQs. A win-win in my opinion.

POTA activation at K-1518. Frozen ground meant no guy lines for antenna on a windy day

I eventually managed to find a little corner of my own and was able to get the activation done. I was surprised there were enough hunters around, though I was the only one on the POTA spotting page for a while on the band.

I realize that this was much easier because I was CW and there is lots of room. I would never even think of an SSB activation during SSB contests (at least not with my low power rig)

I found that I enjoyed both contesting and POTA this weekend. So, next time I may not be foolish enough to go out on an activation during peak contest times and sneak activations in during lean periods. I could also try to work the contesters from the park to make my activation if the bands are good. Do you think I was foolish to try POTA activations on a contest day? And in case if you do ask: Yes, I am aware of the WARC bands.

Note:  I did meet other activators on both the days, but none were CW. On Saturday, I bumped into KU8RLY who had just wrapped up his SSB activation as I pulled into the lot. I had known him from HF nets and it was nice to meet him in person.  He said he had quite a few contacts including one to Alaska.

On Sunday, I saw another ham with an antenna. I went up and introduced myself to KE8YVH, who was on FT-8. I decided to go for a walk to give him time to complete his activation. When I came back after 4 miles of walking, he was gone and I was able to start and complete my activation.