CQ-Contest
[Top] [All Lists]

Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 8

To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 8
From: "Jims Laptop Mail" <jimsharp1@verizon.net>
Date: Thu, 04 Apr 2013 08:00:44 -0400
List-post: <cq-contest@contesting.com">mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
Hours that SOAB or SO1B operate

I really like the upcoming EARTTY because its only 24 hours and in addition, one can choose to operate less by choosing one band only (say 10 or 15) and operate even less
because of band conditions.  I'll jump in for all the time I can.
73 all, W5AP - Jim

-----Original Message----- From: cq-contest-request@contesting.com
Sent: Thursday, April 04, 2013 6:28 AM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 8

Send CQ-Contest mailing list submissions to
cq-contest@contesting.com

To subscribe or unsubscribe via the World Wide Web, visit
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
or, via email, send a message with subject or body 'help' to
cq-contest-request@contesting.com

You can reach the person managing the list at
cq-contest-owner@contesting.com

When replying, please edit your Subject line so it is more specific
than "Re: Contents of CQ-Contest digest..."


Today's Topics:

  1. Crown plaza room? (Steve Bookout)
  2. Re: How many hours do SOAB entrants actually operate? (KU7Y)
  3. Re: Flashback - Is It Time? (David Gilbert)
  4. CQMM DX Contest - April, 20-21 2013 (Luc Moreira)
  5. Re: CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 7 (Mirek Rozbicki)
  6. Re: I loved the WPX - missing 10 min MS rule (Braco OE1EMS)
  7. Re: Flashback - Is It Time? (Richard F DiDonna NN3W)
  8. Re: How many hours do SOAB entrants actually operate?
     (Maarten van Rossum)
  9. Re: Flashback - Is It Time? (Michael Adams)
 10. Re: How many hours do SOAB entrants actually operate?
     (Dick Green WC1M)
 11. Openings and times outside NA (Charles Harpole)
 12. Re: How many hours do SOAB entrants actually operate?
     (Dick Green WC1M)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 19:25:51 -0400
From: Steve Bookout <steve@nr4m.com>
To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Crown plaza room?
Message-ID: <C8968223-3CA7-4F55-9544-24D2233DC16D@nr4m.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Hello all,

Still trying to decide if I should go to Dayton. A big factor is whether or not, I can find a room at the Crown Plaza.

Anyone know of any available rooms?

Thanks.

73 de Steve, NR4M




------------------------------

Message: 2
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 17:09:08 -0700
From: KU7Y <ku7y.cw@gmail.com>
To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?
Message-ID: <7DA1E645CBB54DE98D769902B1B894F2@Shack>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=response

Why not have 2, twenty-four hour periods.... you can chose which one to
enter, first 24 or second 24.

I wonder if this might give people a reason to be working hard for all of
the slow period on Sunday.

OK, back in my hole,

Ron, KU7Y
SOWP 5545M
Arizona Outlaws Contest Club
Silver Springs, NV
ku7y@qsl.net
http://www.hatpinsandmore.com
KX3 #0062
DM09ji



------------------------------

Message: 3
Date: Wed, 03 Apr 2013 18:28:37 -0700
From: David Gilbert <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Flashback - Is It Time?
Message-ID: <515CD745.9050505@cis-broadband.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed


I strongly disagree.  The whole idea of a 24 hour category is to offer
an option for participants to match their physical ability and sleep
cycles to propagation and band activity.  Forcing anyone to operate 24
hours straight doesn't accomplish that in the least.  If we ever have a
24 hour category, it makes far more sense to limit operation to a
maximum of 48 hours but let participants choose which 24 hours those may
be.  Require that all off periods be at least 30 minutes and be done
with it.

Nobody gains anything by requiring that the 24 hours be contiguous, and
certainly not the folks who prefer to tough it out for the full 48 hours.

Dave  AB7E



On 4/3/2013 1:28 PM, Steve London wrote:
Just let the operator choose any starting time. From that point, they
can operate for the next 24 hours, should they decide to be even do
that much.

73,
Steve, N2IC

On 04/03/2013 10:32 AM, Richard F DiDonna NN3W wrote:
Picking best 24 hours is pretty absurd IMHO. I'll just run the
statistical analysis of one hour chunks - or even one minute chunks - to
see which gives the best QSO and point ratio. i can guarantee you that
the big stations will win this one.

Make it 24 hours straight and be done with it (not that I agree with any
24 hour window at all). Of course, someone in the world is going to
complain that a particular start time is prejudicial for some reason.

73 Rich NN3W

On 4/3/2013 10:38 AM, Edward Sawyer wrote:
I can support this effort. Doesn't burden the sponsors yet and we
see who
actually bellies up. I certainly hope that ALL of the vocal people on
this
reflector operated the CQ WW/ARRL DX both modes to show their
dedication and
commitment to operating and competing as much as rendering opinion.


I think that 30 min off times and 6 stages is too generous. Are we
competing or just accommodating convenience? Need to decide which it
is.


I think that N4OGW's suggestion of "the best 24" as long as you
operate at
least 24 will be very demoralizing for this group. The best 24 f the
40+
crowd is likely as good or better than the best 24 for the 24 crowd.
If you
think any of us are sleeping or eating during that 24.you really are
not
paying attention.


Ed N1UR

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest


_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest




------------------------------

Message: 4
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 00:05:39 -0300
From: Luc Moreira <py8azt@dxbrasil.net>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] CQMM DX Contest - April, 20-21 2013
Message-ID:
<CADNJOBCB8gecp+s+TQHA=xrsUpwFKz=zPB9tXTmQ=ca0UCLSyg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Dear Contesters,

You are invited to participate on CQMM DX Contest 20th Edition on
April, 20-21 2013.

This is the 20th edition and 3rd since the competition was open to
operators all over the Globe.

On 1993, a small group of members of CWJF Group (CW Group from the
tiny city of Juiz de Fora) started sponsoring the Manchester Mineira
Contest open only to PY Stations. Then on 1997, MM Contest became a
Continental competition. On 2006, the contest was expanded again to MM
All Americas (including Central and North America). Finally on 2011,
CWJF Group team up with Fortaleza DX Group to open the contest to
World Wide operators.

Now, CQMM DX Contest is the largest ham radio competition held in
South America. We hope to keep expanding this event to everyone who
likes CW and Contesting.

General rules are:
- Everyone works everyone once per band;
- Mults are: South American Prefixes (per band) and DXCC (once, not per band).

Exchange is short, fast and simple:
- RST Continent
- RST Contest + M, Q, Y, or G) [M=CWJF Member, Q=QRP, Y=YL, G=Group or Mult-Op].
Exchange examples: 599 SA, 599 NAQ, 599 AFY, 599 EUM, or ASG.

We have a software (robot) that automatically receives and checks your
log in Cabrillo Format. Claimed Score will be published right after
log submission deadline and results will be on line 60 days after
contest on our website. CQ Magazine (PY version) will publish full
CQMM results on its pages.

Plaques, trophies and certificates will be awarded to top 3 finishers
in each category, separated by countries and continents.

Check our website for rules, past results, past logs and more details:
http://www.cqmmdx.com/

Thank you and we hope see you on the contest again.

CQMM DX Contest Committee

Please, forward this invitation to your friends and to your local club
reflector/newsletter. It will help us make this the best CQMM DX
Contest ever.

73, Luc
__
PW7T Team member
WRTC.2006 Brazilian Referee
WRTC.2010 Brazilian Team Leader
PY8AZT (also PT7AG, R37U, ZY7C, PX8C, ZZ8Z)
LABRE, ARRL, CWJF & Fortaleza DX Group Member


------------------------------

Message: 5
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:51:00 +0800
From: "Mirek Rozbicki" <mirelec@singnet.com.sg>
To: <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 7
Message-ID: <41002E2CF4044604ACD21DC0E3E0F354@MirekPC>
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original

Hi Luc,

Summary of 3830 scores is already there.
Check this one out:
http://pileup.ru/cqwpx_ssb.php?year=2013

73
Mirek
VK6DXI

On 4/3/2013 8:51 AM, Luc Moreira wrote:
Every contester should spend some time digging on
http://www.3830scores.com/ before and after the competition.
It would be complete if It had your claimed position at many scales
(World, Continent, Country, Zone, etc).

Great job! Thanks!
73, Luc
__
PW7T Team member
WRTC.2006 Brazilian Referee
WRTC.2010 Brazilian Team Leader
PY8AZT (also PT7AG, R37U, ZY7C, PX8C, ZZ8Z)
LABRE, ARRL, CWJF & Fortaleza DX Group Member



------------------------------

Message: 6
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 08:48:39 +0200
From: "Braco OE1EMS" <oe1ems@emssolutions.at>
To: "'CQ-Contest Reflector'" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] I loved the WPX - missing 10 min MS rule
Message-ID: <001001ce3100$708839e0$5198ada0$@emssolutions.at>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Well .....this year was not so nice for us!
Extremely bad WX with rain rain rain and in rain brakes we had snow!
Condx were not good and there was much QRN!
We were QRM-ed for long time  by someone using KJ3X callsign! Thanks to Bill
K4XS(real KJ3X)  for info!
We found water in our 15m koax and connector and our switching system was
damaged .....so not much fun!

But after being 3 years in row SOABHP in SSB part, we enter this year MS
..... I have to say we were missing old 10 min MS rule for WPX!
Have 10 band changes pro hour is not fun at all, there is nothing to do
expect CQ and clicking  on the  spots with 2nd radio
on same band if you have one! Yes of course you can stop CQ on run and made
few QSOs on other band
but need to be interlocked  etc.....and all for 5 QSO pro hour if you not
made band change with run radio!!!
However I remember on K5ZD words....with 10 band changes they wanted to made
real Single TX category......
But what we have today?
Station doing CQ and S&P with 1 or 2 more station on same band, interlocked
station on other bands etc etc
Not complaining about it, we using it as well...if you want to stay
competitive you need it!
But this is far away from Single TX category.....how ever I found WPX MS
this year very boring for people not sitting on RUN!
MS in CQ WW DX with 10min  is much more interesting!!!
Maybe we are not alone and maybe new contest director can think about
bringing back good old 10 min rule!

73s
Braco
E77DX



-----Urspr?ngliche Nachricht-----
Von: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] Im Auftrag von
Randy Thompson K5ZD
Gesendet: Dienstag, 02. April 2013 13:11
An: 'Charles Harpole'; 'CQ-Contest Reflector'
Betreff: Re: [CQ-Contest] I loved the WPX

I really enjoyed WPX SSB this year as well.  Just seemed more fun than
usual.  Conditions were good, although not great.  But, good enough that
stations were able to spread out across all bands. Activity was good, but
without so much crowding that it was impossible to find a frequency.  It was
just enjoyable.

And I could tell everyone else was having fun too.  There is something about
prefixes for multipliers that avoids the big cluster pileups or rare DX
pileups. And the ability to work everyone for points helps fill the log and
accelerate the score.

My brain is addicted to contesting.  Maybe it will help me be smarter some
day.  :)

Randy, K5ZD

-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf
Of Charles Harpole
Sent: Monday, April 01, 2013 1:47 PM
To: CQ-Contest Reflector
Subject: [CQ-Contest] I loved the WPX

This is long, sorry.  At 69 with beginning shakey fingers and less
stanima, I nevertheless entered the WPX ssb with determination.  I
came out breaking
2 million points and with a very satisfying experience.  WPX trained
my brain... again!

The HS0 prefix makes me desirable, of course, and I am above just-loud
with even marginal openings, but something geophysical makes me heard
much better than I can hear.  Other local hams confirm this gator
situation.
These factors give me a pile up with nearly every call.  So, my brain
gets the duty of sorting the voices.

By the end of the contest, I had re-learned to discriminate the voices
on the same frequency and was surprised that I actually did not hear
the QRN and QRM that was there and so vexing at the start of the
contest.  By the end of the test, I could copy much better, my short
term memory had improved and allowed me to hold calls and numbers
whole even prior to typing them into the log, and I had succeeded in
holding my impatience with frustrating operators.  Also, I had
modulated my sleep and wake pattern to end feeling refreshed and sorry
WPX was over so soon.  (I am
retired.)

My point is that this contesting had significantly sharpened my
concentration skills and mental focus, had slapped my memory around to
better function, had made me manipulate my gear well and multi-task it
while planning which band and which direction to point as condx
changed, and had just sharpened me up overall!
I am thinking at how much today's children and youth need this
sharpening, too.  Research on mental processing and learning indicates
that what one does in a contest is very good for mental development
and problem solving in an organized way, teaches not to give up on a
self- determined goal, and gives satisfaction at a task well done...
and hope that the learning will stick with one.

Obviously, I really loved this WPX.  73,
--
Charly, HS0ZCW
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest



------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Wed, 03 Apr 2013 22:20:15 -0400
From: Richard F DiDonna NN3W <richnn3w@verizon.net>
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Flashback - Is It Time?
Message-ID: <515CE35F.8050208@verizon.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Oh really?  I thought the idea of a reduced hours category was that
folks cannot handle doing 48 hours and that 24 hours was the
alternative.  So now, its operate up to 48 hours and turn in your best
24?  Good to see the moving goalposts are in effect.

73 Rich NN3W


On 4/3/2013 9:28 PM, David Gilbert wrote:

I strongly disagree.  The whole idea of a 24 hour category is to offer
an option for participants to match their physical ability and sleep
cycles to propagation and band activity.  Forcing anyone to operate 24
hours straight doesn't accomplish that in the least.  If we ever have
a 24 hour category, it makes far more sense to limit operation to a
maximum of 48 hours but let participants choose which 24 hours those
may be.  Require that all off periods be at least 30 minutes and be
done with it.

Nobody gains anything by requiring that the 24 hours be contiguous,
and certainly not the folks who prefer to tough it out for the full 48
hours.

Dave  AB7E



On 4/3/2013 1:28 PM, Steve London wrote:
Just let the operator choose any starting time. From that point, they
can operate for the next 24 hours, should they decide to be even do
that much.

73,
Steve, N2IC

On 04/03/2013 10:32 AM, Richard F DiDonna NN3W wrote:
Picking best 24 hours is pretty absurd IMHO. I'll just run the
statistical analysis of one hour chunks - or even one minute chunks
- to
see which gives the best QSO and point ratio. i can guarantee you that
the big stations will win this one.

Make it 24 hours straight and be done with it (not that I agree with
any
24 hour window at all). Of course, someone in the world is going to
complain that a particular start time is prejudicial for some reason.

73 Rich NN3W

On 4/3/2013 10:38 AM, Edward Sawyer wrote:
I can support this effort. Doesn't burden the sponsors yet and we
see who
actually bellies up. I certainly hope that ALL of the vocal people on
this
reflector operated the CQ WW/ARRL DX both modes to show their
dedication and
commitment to operating and competing as much as rendering opinion.


I think that 30 min off times and 6 stages is too generous. Are we
competing or just accommodating convenience? Need to decide which
it is.


I think that N4OGW's suggestion of "the best 24" as long as you
operate at
least 24 will be very demoralizing for this group. The best 24 f
the 40+
crowd is likely as good or better than the best 24 for the 24 crowd.
If you
think any of us are sleeping or eating during that 24.you really
are not
paying attention.


Ed N1UR

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest


_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest


_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest




------------------------------

Message: 8
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 10:55:20 +0200
From: Maarten van Rossum <pd2r.maarten@gmail.com>
To: KU7Y <ku7y@qsl.net>
Cc: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?
Message-ID:
<CABTDq8h_3hrH_k-y6XkuwrtoyN80V6xPwuqaxojefDXs90Yyuw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Best 24 out of 48 should work just fine. In a 48 hour period you always
have slow hours. It doesn't make sense to keep operating in those low
hours. And even if someone decided to operate 48 out the 24 hours so he
could pick his absolute best 24 hours, the guy with a good operating
strategy operating for 28 hours (with 20 hours of sleep time) should be
able to do just as good or am I wrong?

73, Maarten PD2R
PI4DX

Op donderdag 4 april 2013 schreef KU7Y (ku7y.cw@gmail.com) het volgende:

Why not have 2, twenty-four hour periods.... you can chose which one to
enter, first 24 or second 24.

I wonder if this might give people a reason to be working hard for all of
the slow period on Sunday.

OK, back in my hole,

Ron, KU7Y
SOWP 5545M
Arizona Outlaws Contest Club
Silver Springs, NV
ku7y@qsl.net
http://www.hatpinsandmore.com
KX3 #0062
DM09ji
______________________________**_________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/**mailman/listinfo/cq-contest<http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest>



------------------------------

Message: 9
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2013 23:11:44 -0400
From: Michael Adams <mda@n1en.org>
To: "cq-contest@contesting.com" <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Flashback - Is It Time?
Message-ID:
<CAPx5D1o2GYDEF13TG3ohfwqF5izQ4bgqQt9k611thB7ipchkeQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

What if it were "choose your starting time; count the next 24 hours of
operating time":  twenty-four contiguous operating hours (with the clock
stopping if the operator takes a break >30 minutes), rather than 24
clock-hours after the selected start time.

It removes the problem of letting 48-hour participants pick and choose
their best, potentially non-contiguous 24 hours, it avoids the issue of
making it just an iron-butt half-contest, and leaves us with a side-event
for folks who like to sleep at night and/or have honey-dos that need to be
honey-done.

--
*Michael D. Adams* (N1EN)
Poquonock, Connecticut | mda@n1en.org


On Wed, Apr 3, 2013 at 9:28 PM, David Gilbert <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>wrote:

Nobody gains anything by requiring that the 24 hours be contiguous, and
certainly not the folks who prefer to tough it out for the full 48 hours.


On 4/3/2013 1:28 PM, Steve London wrote:

Just let the operator choose any starting time. From that point, they can
operate for the next 24 hours, should they decide to be even do that much.

73,
Steve, N2IC




------------------------------

Message: 10
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 00:24:03 -0400
From: "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m73@gmail.com>
To: "'W0MU Mike Fatchett'" <w0mu@w0mu.com>,
<cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?
Message-ID: <00b001ce30ec$3dc26c10$b9474430$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I agree -- we have to try it to find out.

While I agree that the top guns and big guns will likely win if they enter a
24-hour category, there may well be some very talented operators who will
give them a run for their money in a 24-hour category who couldn't do that
in a 48-hour category.

This gets to the point I've been trying to make: operating ability,
station-building expertise and endurance are three completely different
things (though they all require a dash of insanity :-). I like the idea of
having a category that emphasizes operating ability and station-building
expertise.

73, Dick WC1M

-----Original Message-----
From: W0MU Mike Fatchett [mailto:w0mu@w0mu.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 12:47 PM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?

The premise was if there was a 24 hour category would more people
attempt to operate the entire 24 hours instead of 10, 12, 20, etc.  I
don't think we will ever know until it tried or really tracked.  It had
nothing to do with competition.

If K5ZD, K1AR, N2IC, big gun,  et al, decides to operate the 24 hour
class they are most likely going to win there too or whatever category
they choose.  This discussion has nothing to do with trying to avoid
competition and everything to do with getting the guy that operates less
than the max to encourage him to operate more.  To get the guy that
operates 16 hours to  operate 24. Wouldn't this be good for all?  I
think so.

SS is a 30 hour contest where you can operate 24 of the 30 hours. Has
anyone done a breakdown based on operating time?

Who knows maybe being able to pick your 24 hours out of 48 might give
the West Coasts guys a chance?  I doubt it as you need to run Europe to
win but you never know.

Mike W0MU

On 4/3/2013 8:26 AM, Yuri wrote:
>
>
>
>> Just how many catagories do we want? There are too many now.  Lets
>> make it a Low Band /High band entry-- 160,80,40, (Lowband)....then
>> let's make that assisted, non assisted, then lets make that LP/HP,
>> then lets make that rookie or non rookie, now do they use a beverage
>> or not?.... Non Beverage or no beverage,,,JUST how many catagories
>> does one need?
>>
>> Joe, w6vnr
>>
>>
>
> Fully agree with Joe.
>
> Most posts here start with "I..." or "Me personally..."
>
> Too bad if you can't do it full-time, or you can't have a beam and/or
> amp or you can't travel to the Caribbean.
> Or if you have too demanding wife or grumpy neighbors...
>
> High Power, Low Power, full time, part time, beam or wire - who cares?
>
> Funny - people who do not want REAL COMPETITION ("we all just do it
> for fun, don't we") - those very same people demand more categories.
> Make it just Single Op or Multi Op.
> That's it.
>
> Yuri, VE3DZ
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest





------------------------------

Message: 11
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 15:52:00 +0700
From: Charles Harpole <hs0zcw@gmail.com>
To: CQ-Contest Reflector <cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Openings and times outside NA
Message-ID:
<CAJocjyjHANvGAJqaHYa+WgDWtJ=9sWT2HXQChMBK30wcoJCWwg@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

U guys in NA and EU fretting over which times to be on!  In much of the
rest of the world (remember that part?),  the real question is when can I
hear ANYONE sometime?

Imagine turning on ur rig and finding ZERO ham sigs on 10 and 80, maybe two
sigs on 15 and 20 and only non-English pirates on 40.  Normal every day
situation.  Openings to population centers for 2 hrs per day, sunrises and
sunsets.  Otherwise, nothing.  Imagine that!

Example, a DXpedition to Nepal will have lots of free daytimes to tour.
On big contest days, that changes to a nice but seldom vy crowded group of
band condx and signal numbers.  But contests do bring them out, thanks for
that.

73.
--
Charly, HS0ZCW


------------------------------

Message: 12
Date: Thu, 4 Apr 2013 01:08:51 -0400
From: "Dick Green WC1M" <wc1m73@gmail.com>
To: "'David Gilbert'" <xdavid@cis-broadband.com>,
<cq-contest@contesting.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?
Message-ID: <00b101ce30f2$7ff89720$7fe9c560$@gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I believe a more accurate term for what Dave opposes is "Any contiguous 24",
rather than "best 24 out of 48".

The other alternative is "Any 24", which allows the op to choose whichever
24 hours he/she wishes to operate. Note that off-times must have a minimum
duration, usually 30 or 60 minutes, to make this format work.

There are arguments for and against both formats:

Contiguous-24

Pro: Requires the operator to demonstrate knowledge of propagation on all
bands and/or antenna-building expertise that includes all 6 contest bands.
It also forces low band activity, which helps to offset the worry that a
24-hour category will hurt low-band participation. It also requires
significant stamina, albeit much less than a 40+ hour effort.

Con: Requires operating for 24 hours straight, effectively an "all-nighter",
which gets us back to the endurance and health issues. It's less friendly in
terms of allowing operators to schedule their time to both participate in
the contest and do other things over the weekend, like run errands, do
chores, watch/attend ball games and spend time with the family -- especially
on holiday weekends.

Any-24

Pro: Requires strategy to optimize operating hours. Allows for plenty of
rest and sleep, and is schedule and family friendly -- no more fighting over
Thanksgiving and Memorial Day weekend.

Con: Allows the op to "cherry-pick" the hours, operating only when the rate
is high. This could hurt low-band participation.

A variation on Any-24 that offsets the impact on low band participation is
to require a minimum number of operating hours between 0000z and 0900z, or
to award extra points for low-band contacts like WPX. There could be all
sorts of variations designed to spread out the operating time and bands.

We already have experience with both of these formats:

- IARU is a "Contiguous-24" contest, though you can't choose which 24. It
starts at the beginning of the high-rate openings between US and EU, which
would probably be a popular choice for start time if we had a Contiguous-24
category. IARU requires that you have a good understanding of propagation on
all the bands and have effective antennas on them. It also requires the
ability to pull an all-nighter.

- ARRL Sweepstakes is an "Any-24" contest. Off times must be at least 30
minutes. It requires strategy to choose your operating times so that you can
capture mults from all parts of the US and Canada. Mults count only once,
not once per band. Normally that would eliminate the incentive to operate
the low bands, but the need to work stations that are usually in the
high-band skip zones forces you to operate on the low bands.

- WPX is an "Any-36" contest with double points for low-band contacts.
Off-times must be at least 60 minutes. It requires strategy to choose your
off-times and decide when and where to work non-US for points and when to
work US for mults. Mults count only once, not once per band. So while the
double points ensure you must work 40, you don't necessarily have to work
160, 80 (in the CW contest), 10 or 15 (in low sunspot years).

With some creativity, I think it would be possible to craft rules for
24-hour categories in CQ WW and ARRL DX that would make them both
challenging and enjoyable.

73, Dick WC1M

-----Original Message-----
From: David Gilbert [mailto:xdavid@cis-broadband.com]
Sent: Wednesday, April 03, 2013 1:44 PM
To: cq-contest@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
operate?


I have been arguing here for a 24 hour category, but I am also strongly
opposed to "best 24 out of 48" instead of simply 24 hours max.  "Best 24
out of 48" defeats the entire intent ... it takes away the strategic
requirement to choose your operating hours wisely, and as Joe says it
turns it back to an iron butt contest anyway.

Dave   AB7E



On 4/3/2013 6:26 AM, Joe wrote:
> That I do not like tho!
>
> Take the "Best" is defeating the purpose of the shorter 24 hours idea.
> If it is the best it forces the station to again operate the full 48
> because who knows the conditions may explode sunday,
>
> This again makes it a big gun iron butt contest and not a true 48 hr
> contest.
>
> Joe WB9SBD
> Sig
> The Original Rolling Ball Clock
> Idle Tyme
> Idle-Tyme.com
> http://www.idle-tyme.com
> On 4/2/2013 8:18 AM, RT Clay wrote:
>> I am one person who might operate more if there was a 24 hour
>> category. Right now I only operate Sprint, NAQP, IARU, and SS because
>> those I can fit in my schedule.
>>
>> I would suggest that anyone operating more than 24 hours be
>> automatically entered in the 24 category- software could easily
>> determine the "best" 24 hour period for those entrants. If the 24
>> hour period was chosen that way, operating MORE than 24 hours would
>> be the best way to get a top 24-hour score.
>> So I doubt
>> it would decrease much the time people put it.
>>
>> With access to contest logs (with bad qsos removed by log checkers)
>> it would be easy for a 3rd party to calculate the best 24 hours
>> scores.
>>
>> Tor
>> N4OGW/5
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>> From: Steve London <n2icarrl@gmail.com>
>> To: Christian Schneider <prickler.schneider@t-online.de>
>> Cc: cq-contest@contesting.com
>> Sent: Mon, April 1, 2013 7:16:51 PM
>> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually
>> operate?
>>
>> Thanks for the data, Chris.
>>
>> In the 24 hour RDXC, 9% operate full time (>23 hours).
>> In the 48 hour CQWW SSB (using KR2Q data), 11.9% operate 24 hours or
>> more.
>>
>> So, presented with a shorter contest, the percentage who choose to
>> operate full time is actually less than the percentage who operate 24
>> or more hours in a 48 hour contest.
>>
>> I fail to see how adding a 24 hour category to a 48 hour contest will
>> encourage more people to operate even 24 hours.
>>
>> 73,
>> Steve, N2IC
>>
>> On 04/01/2013 01:19 PM, Christian Schneider wrote:
>>> N2IC wrote: How about looking at the statistics for those major
>>> worldwide contests that are already 24 hours long, such as the IARU
>>> HF, and Russian DX ? What percentage of participants currently
>>> operate more than, say
>>> 22 hours
>>> ? I'm sure there is a reader of this list has access to that data.
>>> Are the
>>> "24 hour category" folks walking their talk ?
>>> ------------------------------------
>>>
>>>
>>> Hi Steve,
>>> in four RDXCs 11 to 15 percent of the SOAB operated 20 to 24 hours
>>> with up
>>> to 9 percent having 23:xx hours.
>>> See http://www.dl8mbs.de/40984/45289.html
>>> 73, Chris (DL8MBS)
>>>
>>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>> _______________________________________________
>> CQ-Contest mailing list
>> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
>> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>>
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> CQ-Contest mailing list
> CQ-Contest@contesting.com
> http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest
>





------------------------------

Subject: Digest Footer

_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest


------------------------------

End of CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 8
******************************************
_______________________________________________
CQ-Contest mailing list
CQ-Contest@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/cq-contest

<Prev in Thread] Current Thread [Next in Thread>
  • Re: [CQ-Contest] CQ-Contest Digest, Vol 124, Issue 8, Jims Laptop Mail <=