USE WHEN CONTESTING GETS OVERWHELMING!!

When contesting gets you overloaded.. and you feel like you are going to explode.. read this, pause.. and decompress before returning to the fray..

Enjoy.. 73 Chuck K3FT ============================================================

CONTESTIATA (adapted by K3FT - 22 May 2002)

"Go placidly amid the QRN and the QRM, and remember what peace there may be in S&P'ing. As far as possible, without surrendering your frequency, be on good terms with all stations. Speak/send your exchange clearly, and listen carefully to the response, even to the casual and non-contester types for they, too, have point value!. Avoid loud and aggressive stations, they are not worth the cost in rate to fight them. If you compare your Q-total mid-contest with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser-reported Q-totals than yours. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own station, however humble; it is a real possession in helping the Club aggregate score. Exercise caution in playing with new software BEFORE the contest for untested software is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is in new software; many stations have used new software; and everywhere there are useful upgrades. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign pleasure over a new multiplier. Neither be cynical about propagation; for in the face of all plans; propagation is as predictable as the wind. Take kindly the counsel of the contest sponsors, gracefully surrendering to their requirements for log submittals. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden attacks of Murphy. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness of being on a band and calling constant CQ's without answers. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a contester and licensed operator; no less than the others who don't contest on the bands; you have a right to be there. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the fortunes of contesting will change, as they should. Therefore be at peace with Murphy, whatever you conceive him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the QRM and confusion of the contest, keep an accurate and honest log. With all its QRM, QRN, and visits by Murphy, it is still fun. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. Remember the cry 'WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!" =================================================

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