[CQ-Contest] Shorten CW SS

[Randy Thompson, K5ZD]

A few thoughts before any quick reaction to changing SS.

SS CW activity is always down in high sunspot years.  I believe there are
two causes.  1) People spend more time in WW Phone and therefore have less
radio energy for SS CW.  2) More bands are open so the limited activity gets
too dispersed.

We are missing a lot of the true old timers that made SS CW great.  The guys
with checks in the 30s and 40s that did real traffic handling.  Anyone with
a check higher than 80 probably never checked into a CW traffic net - ever.

SS Phone activity seems to continue growing.  This suggests that the contest
isn't really broken from a rules or interest standpoint.  It does suggest
that long exchanges on CW may have lost some of their appeal.

Sweepstakes is still a great contest.  Even when it is slow, you know you
have to maintain 100% concentration or someone will pass you in the
standings.  I still suggest there is no other contest in the world where
scores are so close and so many stations have a chance to win it all.

Randy, K5ZD

> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-cq-contest at contesting.com
> [mailto:owner-cq-contest at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Dave Hachadorian
> Sent: Tuesday, November 07, 2000 4:06 AM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Shorten CW SS
>
>
>
> A high percentage of SS CW comments on the 3830 scores reflector
> are mentioning how slow Sunday was, and how few QSO's were made.
> That was certainly the case at this station. There was no shortage
> of RF, however. In a so2r setup, one radio is always in the cq
> mode, blasting away, cq after cq, with nobody left to work. The
> bands were PLASTERED with futile cq's.
>
> Maybe the time has come to shorten the cw ss, like maybe
> 1700Z Saturday to 1700Z Sunday, operating 20 out of 24 hours.
>
> I know that such a departure from tradition brings about
> a gut-level unfavorable initial reaction. Just think, though,
> about how hard Sunday afternoon was, trying to scrounge up a
> few measly contacts. Was that enjoyment?
>
> Dave Hachadorian, K6LL
> Yuma, AZ
> K6LL at juno.com
>
>
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