Contesting and DXing Rules!
- skylarkcolo
- Jan 31, 2020
- 9 min read
Updated: Feb 7
I have been honored to be able to operate from a number of biggest contest and DX stations over the years.
Unfortunately many of us have found out that these are the RULES, and the LAW, at most of those monster big gun super contest stations!
BIG Power is the boss, (tubes with handles and very high gain antennas), DX audio was always used, Continuous Calls was required by each operator, Persistence that you will not, and must not be thrown off the frequency!
Interference by others well not get under your skin, So just Keep Calling, no matter what.
ANTENNA Overview at K0UO:
40 - 6 meters, three 40 meter resonant designed Rhombic traveling wave antennas, that are up to +14dB gain on 40 meters and more on the higher bands, mounted on 80 to 100 foot wood poles for support. Using Rhombic Re-entrant RF power recirculating system, which significantly increases efficiency to around 90%, by proper impedance matching and phasing to recombine the RF power, and replacing the termination resistor
40- 6 meter vertical polarized Rhombic firing to Central & S America @ 160' mid point on the main tower
40 - 6 meters, Three 1200 foot Vee Beams (V-beam) on 75 to 100 foot wood poles
4 element 40 meter wire vertical beam @ 100 foot fixed on Africa
2 element 40 wire beam @ 180 foot firing west (new 2023)
Full-sized 1/4 wave 4 Square verticals for 160 and 80 meters, (ON4UN/type, hanging off of the 195' tower, using elevated 1/4 wave radials)
40-10 meters, Distributed-fed Curtain Array (Billboard) @ 190 feet, which is the highest gain antenna with electrical beam steering from N Europe to the Middle East
HF 8 element Log-periodic Beam LPDA yagi-style log periodic 20-6 meters @ 195 ft
160, 80, 60, 40 & 20 meters, dipoles @ 190 ft
The main ground system is tied into two, 5400 feet deep oil well casings (lightning protection) counterpoise
In 2022 a 100 foot hinge-over Rohn 55 was added, with a fixed wire 4 element 40 meter Delta Loop beam firing east to Africa (using a WA7ARK's model design), along with phasing of the various antennas together
The 2023 The Big project was a HF Log-periodic Beam LPDA yagi-style log periodic 20-6 meters @ 100' on the above tower, that can be used with other LPDA as stacked and or phased
A 160 meter loop was also added in 2023, using the support cables for the delta loop, and the 4 element 40 meter wire vertical beam, this bonus antenna is at a average height of over 100 feet
Up to 8 Beverage receive antennas each 800' to 1500 foot long, most are 2 wire bidirectional. In the winter of 2022-23 new RX beverage antennas were added, that are 1500 feet antennas, and across the U.S. Highway, just east of the QTH on the creek, with feedlines under the bridge! So the K0UO Rhombic Farm has antennas on both sides of a major U.S. Highway!
The Big project in 2025 was installing antenna vibration dampening on the wires antennas. This initiative aims to reduce stress on the insulators, hardware, and support poles, particularly during icy and windy conditions, similar to the methods applied to high voltage power lines to stop galloping and aeolian vibrations. Antenna-vibration-dampening
Now, How I Win Contest
ARRL contests (like ARRL DX CW/Phone, ARRL International DX, ARRL June VHF, ARRL 10 Meter, Sweepstakes, Field Day, etc.) reward a mix of high QSO rates, multiplier hunting, and smart band/time management. With the K0UO Rhombic Antenna Farm in Kansas (massive high-gain rhombics, V-beams, curtains, stacked LPDAs, and far-field testing on 1,200 acres), I have a huge edge for North & South America—especially on lower bands (40m–160m) where rhombics excel for low-angle radiation, wide bandwidth, and massive gain (14–18 dBd in key directions with the K0UO re-entrant phasing for ~90% efficiency). This setup makes me competitive, even in single-op categories, punching way above typical Midwest stations.
Here’s a tailored overview of proven ARRL contest strategies, drawing from ARRL's official guidance, top ops' habits, and how my site and antenna farm fits in.
Core Principles from ARRL & Top Contesters
From ARRL's Contest Basics and HF Contesting Guidelines:
Read & Understand Rules Thoroughly — Every ARRL contest has nuances (e.g., exchange format, power categories, band changes limits in multi-op). Check arrl.org/contest-rules for the specific one.
Pre-Contest Prep:
I test all gear (rig, amp, software like N1MM Logger+, antennas, logging network) days ahead.
Get propagation forecasts (VOACAP, solar flux/K-index via spaceweather.com or hamqsl.com).
Plan band time: Sunrise/sunset times for grayline openings, when low bands open long-path.
Strategy session: Decide run vs. S&P balance, target multipliers (e.g., DXCC entities in ARRL DX).
Post-Contest Review: Analyze your log (NILs, dupes, rate per hour) to improve next time—no editing allowed pre-submission!
Key Operating Strategies
Running vs. Search & Pounce (S&P)
Running (CQing on a clear freq): Ideal with your big signal—rhombics can deliver huge signals into Europe, Pacific, or South America. Find a quiet spot (use band maps in N1MM or Skimmer), call "CQ Contest" continuously. High-rate: 100–200+/hr possible on open bands.
S&P: Hunt multipliers (new countries/states/zones) by tuning and pouncing. Use spotting networks (DX Summit, Reverse Beacon Network) wisely—self-spotting is allowed in many ARRL events now, but follow ethics.
Hybrid Approach (Best for you): Run on high bands (20m/15m/10m) during peaks with your phased arrays for fast QSOs, then S&P on low bands (80m/40m) at night using rhombics' low-angle lobes for DX. Switch to run when pileups build on you.
Band & Time Management
Prioritize multipliers over raw QSOs early—work new ones first, then fill rates. In ARRL DX, every new DXCC entity counts once per band.
Exploit propagation: Open 10m/15m mornings/afternoons for Europe/Asia; 20m all day; 40m/80m evenings/nights for long-haul. the K0UO rhombics shine here—target beams toward key zones (e.g., Europe, JA, VK).
Grayline magic: Operate dawn/dusk for enhanced low-band paths.
Avoid "dead time"—even if band seems slow, S&P or move.
Rate Optimization
Short, efficient exchanges: Use phonetics, no extra words ("5NN TU").
In digital (if allowed, e.g., ARRL International Digital): FT4/FT8 for speed, but your farm favors SSB/CW for big signals.
Minimize errors: Double-check calls, use super-check-partial in logger.
Leveraging the K0UO Setup
Rhombics/V-Beams/Curtains: These are killer for contesting—broad bandwidth (no retuning), high gain, low takeoff angles for DX. Use them to run on 40m/80m where most stations struggle. Your re-entrant system (no termination loss) means more effective radiated power.
Directionality: Pre-plan lobes—aim at high-population DX areas (EU mornings, Pacific evenings). Switch to omnidirectional or alternate directions if needed.
Low-Noise Farm: My very rural Kansas location + optimized arrays = great RX for weak DX multipliers.
Testing Edge: Use your far-field range data to confirm patterns—tune for contest takeoff angles (e.g., 5–15° for DX).
Contest-Specific Tips (Popular ARRL Ones)
ARRL DX CW/Phone (Feb/March): Focus on DX multipliers (160–10m). Run high bands daytime; low bands night. The rhombics can dominate 40m/80m runs and also the 4 SQs andRX 1500 foot Beverage array https://www.k0uo.com/post/the-beverage-antenna-is-a-traveling-wave-antenna
ARRL 10 Meter (Dec): Propagation-dependent—open = huge rates; closed = grind S&P. Even modest antennas work; I also have stacked and phase LPDA yagi type beams with high-gain setups will excel if open.
ARRL Sweepstakes (Nov): State/Section multipliers—run hard on 20m/40m; S&P for sections.
ARRL VHF: Grid squares—I did have a large setup with worked with Gary KB0HH station where we had height and high gain, we have tropo/F2/ES/ and won manyu ARRL contest over the years. https://www.qrz.com/db/KB0HH
General Tips from Winners
Stay hydrated, take short breaks to avoid fatigue.
Have fun—contesting improves skills (copying weak signals, pileup management).
Submit promptly (Cabrillo format via arrl.org/log-submission).
Join club competition if eligible (boosts club score).
The K0UO setup positions it for top scores.
View of Brig General Steven Walz 1200 acre world largest antenna site and test range with super ham station, k0uo ham radio station which has miles of HF VHF antennas for ham radio
dozens of tall antenna support structures, like FCC registered towers up to 195 foot, numerous 100 foot wood power-line poles, concrete silos, and portable mobile tower view from the top of the FCC TOWER NUMBER AR #1216715 on the k0uo antenna test and rhombic farm is a big gun and contester dream station the biggest ham station with the highest gain biggest antennas in the world.
(since OH8X in Finland, tall tower and 160 meters beam in Finland. was destroyed by a storm in 2013).
The K0UO Rhombic farm and antenna test range is one of the very few big gun ham radio stations that has a tower which is tall enough and required by the FCC to have a registration. The Antenna Structure Registration or ASR tower number is 1216715. So the K0UO site, station, and antenna is in the FCC public file, for actual verification, unlike other so called big gun ham radio stations .
1200 acres to test and build all types of antennas and tower pole supports, also the largest ham radio station in the world with milrd of wire arrays and many towers, Antenna Test Facility ATF, electromagnetically-quiet area. View of General Steven Walz 1200 acre world largest antenna site and test range, k0uo ham radio station k0uo,
miles of antennas for ham radio
dozens of tall antenna support structures, like FCC registered towers up to 195 foot, numerous 100 foot wood powerline poles, concrete silos, and portable mobile towers.
The K0UO Rhombic farm and antenna test range is one of the very few ham radio stations that has a tower which is tall enough and required by the FCC to have a registration. The Antenna Structure Registration or ASR tower number is 1216715. So the K0UO site, station, and antenna is in the FCC public file. used in conjunction with RSI Corp of Kiowa KS seehttps://www.rsicorp.com/dtic. Use for DOD and commercial wireless telcom groups groups. K0UO uses Re-entrant system that achieves 90% efficiency, by re-phasing the power back into the antenna, rather than dissipating it as heat in termination resistors. Welcome to K0UO's premier ham radio antenna site farm, spanning hundreds of acres dedicated to innovative design and rigorous testing of antennas. The largest in the world, so join me in advancing the field of ham antennas radio with cutting-edge technology and expert guidance. This station has been very competitive, and has won many major worldwide amateur radio contest.
High-Frequency Stock Trading groups should use the rhombic antenna.
The Defense Technical Information Center is RSI's central facility for the collection and dissemination of scientific and technical training information. RSI supplies training and assessment services to the United States and other governments.Welcome to the K0UO Ham Radio Station, home the world's largest antenna site and test range, spanning impressive 1,200 acres. Featuring miles of antennas and towering structures—including FCC-registered reaching up to 195 feet—our facility is a dream destination for serious contester and big gun operators. With numerous -foot wooden powerline poles, concrete silos, and portable mobile towers, the K0UO Rhombic Farm stands out for its significant height and capabilities. Registered under Antenna Structure Registration number 1216715, our station is recognized in the FCC public file, credibility and verification that sets us apart from other so-called big gun ham stations. The station and antenna farm uses very complex highly engineered arrays.
k0uo uses Re-entrant Rhombic array is one of the highest forward gain HF antennas with its 90% efficiency, the highest forward gain of any HF ham antenna. Also a world-class multiple stations, with many large LPDA yagi type beam antennas, 195 to 300 foot towers, and multiple very large wood power-poles. Antennas from 160 meters up to 2 meters. Using the new Icom IC7760 as the main transceivers.
With 1200 acres near by to test and build all types of antennas and tower pole supports, also the largest ham radio station in the world with miles of wire HF arrays and many VHF UHA antennass, Antenna Test Facility ATF, electromagnetically-quiet area.
Miles of antennas for ham radio
dozens of tall antenna support structures, like FCC registered towers up to 195, to 300 foot on a near by Gypsum hills site, numerous 100 foot wood power-line poles, concrete silos, and portable mobile towers.
The K0UO Rhombic farm and antenna test range is one of the very few ham radio stations that has a tower which is tall enough and required by the FCC to have a registration. The Antenna Structure Registration or ASR tower number is 1216715. So the K0UO site, station, and antenna is in the FCC public file. used in conjunction with RSI Corp of Kiowa KS seehttps://www.rsicorp.com/dtic. Use for DOD and commercial wireless telecommunications groups.
RSI Corp can Handle technical management, RF testing logistics, and integration of measurement instrumentation in collaboration with the facility. The K0UO site is a highly technical facility used to precisely measure an antenna's performance characteristics, such as its radiation pattern and gain.
K0UO antenna test range site has significant out door real estate, so anechoic test chambers are not needed.
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