On Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:22:35 -0500, Edward Swynar wrote:
>I heard solid European & African stations practically begging for N.A. QSOs,
>with no takers...and this, at some 1.5 - 2 hours before local sunset!
>What a difference a 9 hour drive S/E on the continent can make on the
>band...Hi Hi.
Imagine the FAR greater difference from W6/W7. In CQWW160 and ARRL 160, it
makes a difference in scores of at least 4:1 for equivalent stations and
operators. And it's why many W6/W7 operators don't bother getting on the air
for these contests -- while we can HEAR east coast stations loud and clear
hours before our sunset, they don't hear us (or don't WANT to hear us)
because they're listening NE for Qs that yield a lot more points. I'd bet
that there are far more east coast Beverages aimed NE than are aimed W.
Now that computing power makes it easy, it's long past time for contest rules
to be changed to level the geographical playing field. The Boring Amateur
Radio Club has shown one simple and effective way to do that with their Stew
Perry event. It's time for CQ and ARRL to follow their lead.
I've won SCV for the three years I've lived here in CA, and been in the top
10 or so W6/w7 scores for both ARRL and CQ contests, but ONLY because many
far better stations and operators are turned off by scoring rules that give
east coast stations a huge advantage. N6RO has a KILLER 160M station, and he
enjoys the band, but he only spends a few hours between watching hockey on
TV. K6XX doesn't get on at all! Until these rules are changed, you won't
hear much of me in these contests. It's no fun calling S9 east coast stations
who don't want to work you and continually CQ in your face.
73,
Jim Brown K9YC
_______________________________________________
160 meters is a serious band, it should be treated with respect. - TF4M
|