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Re: [CQ-Contest] Past Prediction of the Future of Contesting.

To: Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com>
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Past Prediction of the Future of Contesting.
From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr@arrl.net>
Date: Wed, 25 Aug 2021 12:40:08 -0400
List-post: <mailto:cq-contest@contesting.com>
My consideration of WPX as a rate contest come from the late Bill Fisher W4AN 
(SK). He said to not worry about multipliers, and focus on rate. Then the 
multipliers will come.

From my experience at the NQ4I M-M, where I spent a LOT of time on the mult 
stations, pointing and clicking on spots is generally an exercise in 
distraction. If the band map is moderately full, you are better off tuning up 
the band and picking off spots as you go. This has a two-fold purpose. First, 
it allows you to find stations that have not yet been spotted (or perhaps their 
spots have expired from the map). Second, when you do tune to a spot, it’s hit 
or miss on how fresh it might be. Fresher spots tend to be more competitive and 
it takes more time to get through, which hurts the rate. If you are clicking on 
recent spots, you will waste time. 

WPX is very different since multipliers aren’t tightly coupled to specific 
geographical areas as they are for countries or zones.

> On Aug 23, 2021, at 3:32 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:
> 
> Bill,
> 
> It probably doesn't matter much if you are operating casually and using one 
> radio. You can keep the QSO rate pretty decent. But the serious guys 
> operating SO2R are trying to work as many stations as fast as possible. 
> Someone operating SO2R with assistance would have an great advantage over 
> another SO2R station not using assistance. They could just click on the band 
> map and knock off stations instantly whereas the station not using assistance 
> would have to tune their 2nd radio VFO manually to find new stations to work. 
> I also realize that some who operate SO2R also do dual CQing on two different 
> bands, but eventually you might run out of stations to work and the rate will 
> slow dramatically. I can't agree with you that there is no need to hunt for 
> multipliers. Maybe if you're on a Caribbean island and the only station on 
> from that country people will find you but if you have a regular non-rare 
> call that isn't always the case. Multipliers are just as important in WPX as 
> in any other contest.
> 
> Jeff
> 
> On 8/23/2021 2:22 PM, Bill Coleman wrote:
>>> On Aug 22, 2021, at 6:23 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately the Single-Op rule changes in CQ WPX has taken away the 
>>> option to choose the way you want to operate. Pretty much you have to 
>>> operate assisted if you want to have a competitive score.
>> How do you figure, Jeff?
>> 
>> WPX is basically a rate contest. There’s a virtually endless supply of 
>> multipliers. If you work enough contacts, the multipliers will come. There’s 
>> no need to hunt for multipliers.
>> 
>> Being assisted might actually slow you down and reduce your score.
>> 
>> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
>> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
>> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>>            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>> 
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Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr@arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
           -- Wilbur Wright, 1901

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