In a message dated 2/19/02 10:20:23 AM Eastern Standard Time,
w2up@mindspring.com writes:
> As I was unavailable for contesting Sunday, I decided to invent my own
> category: SOA HP First 24 hours. I operated from 0000Z-2359Z the
> first day (Friday night till Saturday night). I slept for 2 hours in that
> period. I think there's something to this category, and would like to see
it
>
> be added to all 48 hour contests. First, it highlights operating more than
> endurance. Second, the rates are better the first day, so more fun and
> less "there's nobody left to work" boredom. Third, those of us who
> cannot commit a full weekend would have a way to compete with each
> other. Comments?
There's nothing wrong with creating your own category. I did that years ago
with "Single Op Multi Station" in CW SS, and am still having a lot of fun
doing that.
I don't think SOMS in SS or a 24 hour DX contest category need to be
incorporated into the official rules of the contest. Just do it. I think
bragging rights on-line (i.e. here on CQ-Contest) and maybe some recognition
in the contest writeups would be sufficient.
For the particular details, I would suggest any 24 consecutive hours,
starting at the beginning of any hour. (e.g. 0300Z, not 0327Z). I don't think
rates are necessarily worse the second day, it's just that if you've worked a
zillion guys the first day there aren't as many left to work on day two. I
suspect there are more people for whom Friday night is a scheduling problem
than is Sunday, especially as you go west. Starting Saturday morning local
time after a good night's rest sounds like a natural way to do it.
Anyone interested should simply declare their intentions ahead of time and go
ahead and do it. ARRL SSB DX is in 2 weeks, which could be a good test run.
73 - Jim K8MR
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