[CQ-Contest] How do you count 24 hours out of 48?

[K1ZA John Guida]

Howdy! K1ZA here - (ex NJ1V).

This subject if very interesting to me. In May I will turn 65, and am
planning my retirement for this summer, moving from Massachusetts to the
Texas Hill Country to build our retirement home on five acres that we own
there.

I have been inactive for the last five years, since moving to Mass from
Houston in 1999. Prior to that I was somewhat active, but no where near as
much as I was when we lived in Oklahoma from 1990 through 1995.

I am anxious to get back into contesting, but I also have interests in other
activities that are important to me besides Amateur Radio. Coupled with the
fact that I am sure that my stamina is not what it used to be, I too believe
that a 24 hour category would be interesting, and something I would probably
enjoy if available.

My recommendation to enable this approach would be to restrict the 24 hour
category to either the first 24 hours of the 48 hour contest, OR the 2nd 24
hours of the contest. Always starting at 0000Z and ending at 2400Z, like the
48 hour contest. This would have the effect of "leveling the playing field"
for the two 24 hour periods. This would also present a little "roll of the
dice" for the 24 hour category operators that might be created by changes in
propagation. It might also help to enhance the contest ending hour doldrums
by attracting more operators to the 2nd 24 hour period. The participant
could chose only one, but either of the two 24 hour periods that constitute
the total contest operating period. Operating more than 24 hours would
automatically put the participant in the 48 hour category.

I always enjoyed operating IARU, and liked it alot because I could go the 24
hour distance without a problem. This 24 hour suggestion would be almost the
same thing.

Just my thoughts! Hope to be back on the air within the next year!

73 .......... K1ZA
k1za at godfather-ridge.com

-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com]On Behalf Of Ron Notarius
WN3VAW
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 12:20 PM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: [CQ-Contest] How do you count 24 hours out of 48?


Once again, the question has arisen as to whether or not one or more of the
many 48-hour full weekend contests should add a limited time category,
usually 24 hours.

On the assumption that this would be a new category to the given contest and
not replace an existing one (and I too wish I could "iron man" a 48 hour
contest period like I could many moons ago)...

How would you count 24 hours?

Would it be a total of 24 during the 48?  Or a contigous 24 hour period
(say, 1200 Z Saturday thru 1200 Z Sunday, for example)?

This is not a trivial question, as there would be two different strategies
to each approach.  Being able to pick & choose your hours for a total of 24
would ensure (for those who need it) enough time for rest and family or work
or other obligations, and would definitely benefit those with a knowledge of
propagation trends and band openings.  OTOH, picking a starting time and
having to go "full borne" for 24 hours from that point in time means better
planning of off-radio obligations (including meals and rest, if any, to say
nothing of, shall we say, visits to the neccesary room(s)!) and having some
faith in the vagaries of propagation.

This would be somewhat analgous to a 10 k Race that coincides with a
Marathon -- both have the same start point, but after the Marathon runners
start, the 10K runners follow and proceed only to the end of their race.
Same course, same volunteers and administrators to run it, but different
races for different results.

Just an idle thought...

73, ron wn3vaw

Some people are only alive because it is illegal to shoot them
(From "The Top 17 Bumper Stickers You Would Like To See")

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