George, K5TR did a GREAT Sweepstakes interview with Randy, K5ZD here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6ljgkZmypE
George Fremin K5TR is a contesting veteran with a deep love for the ARRL
Sweepstakes—a tradition now in its 91st year, making it one of the
longest-running contests in all of amateur radio. Originating in 1930 as a
simulation of formal traffic handling, Sweepstakes still bears that DNA today:
each contact mimics the preamble of a real radiogram, with its long exchange
and structured message flow. George has tackled this uniquely American contest
from across the country, logging top-10 finishes with everything from
high-power setups to a 40-foot dipole in Ohio.
In conversation with Randy Thompson K5ZD, George makes the case that
Sweepstakes remains the most egalitarian contest on the calendar—favoring smart
operators, not just big stations. He explains why the one-QSO-per-station rule
levels the field, why a fan vertical in a park can still net 900 contacts, and
how Sunday “begging” for casual operators becomes a strategic art. And he
reflects on some personal milestones: finally outrunning a mentor during a peak
hour, and the heartbreak of missing a top-10 finish by just three contacts. For
George, Sweepstakes is both a game of endurance and a nod to ham radio’s
roots—still thrilling after all these years.
73
Tim K3LR
-----Original Message-----
From: CQ-Contest [mailto:cq-contest-bounces+k3lr=k3lr.com@contesting.com] On
Behalf Of George Fremin III
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2025 9:17 AM
To: CQ-Contest Reflector
Subject: [CQ-Contest] ARRL November Sweepstakes THIS weekend
Contesters,
As many of you might be aware the ARRL SSB Sweepstakes is this weekend.
This is your reminder to get on the radio and have some fun in a contest that
started in 1930.
How amazing is that?
I love the Sweepstakes contest. I find the longer exchange to be both a
challenge and a nice departure from our usual 59 contests. If you are a member
of an amateur radio club - post a reminder on your club’s email list or
discord/slack channel reminding folks of this weekends contest. The exchange
has its roots in ham radio message/traffic handling and could be a great way
for those ENCOM folks gaining more radio skills beyond RST-QTH exchanges. I
have done the contest from several locations around the country and had a great
time and a good results from each of those locations. I even did the contest
from a park running a vertical and made almost a 1000 contacts on CW - so you
do not need a huge station to do well.
Fire up your rigs at home or head out to your favorite POTA spot or wherever
and get on the radio and celebrate this long running event and it’s long
history.
An added bonus this year is that there is an ‘extra’ weekend between the SS
and the CQ WW CW contest and also the Thanksgiving holiday. Usually the SS SSB
is the weekend before Thanksgiving / CQ WW CW but this year you get an extra
week between the two so your calendar should not be as busy.
See you on the bands!
George Fremin III
K5TR
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