This month, I’m providing a ham radio contest tip-a-day (along with other posts) to help you trigger your own contesting activities.Today’s tip: Create a contest goal.The more time you spend in a contest, the harder it becomes. Why? Well, there is the effort of copying all those signals in the midst of all the contest noise. Sitting in the chair (or standing) operating takes focus and concentration. And, let's face it, operating at 3 AM is tough on anyone.A goal for the contest operation can offer you the "reason for operating" when the operating gets tough. By having a goal, the operating becomes more than just the next contact. The goal helps sustain you during the contest.Scot, K9JY