Hi, Tim, and thanks for giving Sprint a try. The special QSY rule of Sprint
can be simultaneously exciting and frustrating. What some people don't
realize, though, is that it is not necessary to work "couplets".
That is, the "normal" Sprint routine is to find a CQing station and call
them. If they come back to you, then they QSY after the QSO and you stay on
the frequency for one more QSO. Thus, you've worked two QSOs on the same
frequency and we lovingly call that a "couplet".
Then you have to QSY. One problem with this is that you may not win the
"jump ball", the insiders' name for the first CQ. Another station may beat
you out. Worse, you may stick around to work the station who beat you when
they are ready for their second QSO on the frequency, and get beat out
again! Or, you may tune away, find another CQing station and lose that jump
ball. Too much of this can be frustrating.
However, the rules don't require the "normal" Sprint routine of working
couplets. The rules only require a QSY after a QSO in which you were
called. A little known fact is that the CW Sprint was won once by a station
that ONLY called CQ for every QSO they made during the 4-hour event. He
alternated between 20 and 40 meters, only calling CQ. One could do the same
thing on one band. Just tune to a clear spot and drop a CQ in. Sometimes
this is a great way to relieve frustration and run a pretty good rate.
Once you get comfortable with the constant CQ approach, try answering some
CQs (jump balls) but if it is not too successful, just tune off to a clear
frequency and call CQ again. Unlike other contests where big guns sit on
one frequency and "run" for hours on end, the Sprint format defeats that and
gives every station the ability to CQ successfully. Especially as a band
gets worked out, a little gun CQing will often have several big guns calling
them who need the new call for their log.
Back to your original question, you will find in the rules two example
exchange messages that are recommended for whether you are the CQing station
or the responding station. The only difference is the order of information,
specifically where your call sign is located in the exchange string. That
location is a clue to anyone just tuning across the QSO as to what phase the
QSO is in and which station is staying on the frequency. This protocol
allows one to instantly know exactly what is happening on the frequency and
the precise timing.
Accordingly, unlike most contests, you will want two different exchange
messages and develop the skill/habit of sending the "correct" one depending
on whether you are the CQing or responding station. Beyond this, your
messages can be similar to what you are used to for other contests.
I go a step further and map all my messages to very specific locations on
the keyboard which minimizes my hitting the wrong key. That level of detail
is beyond this posting and also very subjective and personal--each operator
will have their preference for what works best for them.
Ed W0YK
-----Original Message-----
From: RTTY [mailto:rtty-bounces@contesting.com] On Behalf Of
groupsrichart@gmail.com
Sent: 08 March, 2018 19:54
To: rtty@contesting.com
Subject: Re: [RTTY] NA RTTY Sprint This Saturday
Would anyone be willing to share their N1MM Logger+ macro file for this
contest? (Or even WriteLog, as I could adapt it). I have never operated
the Sprint and I am trying to wrap my head around how to before Saturday.
73,
Tim WS4V
On 3/5/2018 3:51 PM, Ed Muns wrote:
The NCJ NA RTTY Sprint is this Saturday evening from 00-04z Sunday on 20,
40
and 80 meters. It's a lot of fun and doesn't take much out of your
weekend.
The Sprint format can be challenging and which helps improve operating
skill
at any level.
Rules: http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-Rules.pdf
Team registration: http://ncjweb.com/rttysprintteamreg/
Log submittal: http://ncjweb.com/sprintlogsubmit/
Practice: Friday evening, 0200-0230z Saturday
73,
Ed W0YK
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