[CQ-Contest] Move WPX Back to 30 Hours?

[Randy Thompson]

History has shown that the shorter time period enables more people to be
competitive from more places around the world.  For example, from W6, it is
more likely to find 30 good hours that include Europe or JA propagation than
it is to find 36 hours.  Where from W1, we have 40+ hours of good prop to
Europe.  By limiting to 30 hours, both the W1 and W6 ops have the same
amount of rate opportunities to work with.

The biggest complaint against 30 hours is that there is a lot of time where
you may be wanting to operate, yet can't.  This tends to drive a lot of
activity into the first 24 hours and then leave the bands a little emptier
on day 2.

As a side note, the WPX RTTY contest has kept the 30 hour limit.  I am not
sure what prompted the increase from 30 to 36 hours.  Based on comments over
the years, the guys who are on expeditions or in high rate locations tend to
favor the longer operating time.  The guys in less advantage areas have
voted by giving up on the contest and so their comments have diminished.

Randy, K5ZD 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com 
> [mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Trent 
> and Lorraine Sampson
> Sent: Thursday, March 20, 2008 10:13 AM
> To: Larry K4AB; cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] Move WPX Back to 30 Hours?
> 
> Hi Larry,
>  
> 30 Hours would always advantage a particular time zone, from 
> here (VK4) using the 36 hours I can strategise where the best 
> runs will be, we tend to run USA and JA with some Europe. We 
> are having some 10M openings recently so I will be there and 
> 40 m is strong to USA and JA.
> Tribander Single element - 
>  
> But the biggest thing you forgot is CQWPX is an international 
> test that should allow all competitors at least a chance to 
> have a try at propagation..
>  
> Regards 
>  
> Trent VK4TI 
> 
> ________________________________
> 
> From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com on behalf of Larry K4AB
> Sent: Thu 20/03/2008 9:08 AM
> To: cq-contest at contesting.com
> Subject: [CQ-Contest] Move WPX Back to 30 Hours?
> 
> 
> 
> It's been a few years since this topic has been breached, but 
> with the start of the new sunspot cycle, a fresh beginning, I 
> fell it's time to open the discussion again.
> 
> Isn't now a perfect time to return to 30 hours for the WPX 
> events?  Some newcomers may not remember, but the CQ WPX 
> contests were, at one time, a 30 out of 48 hour contest.
> 
> It was unique, fun, and the added off-time strategy made it 
> even more fun.  Not that  it is no fun now, but going back to 
> 30 hours would make it even more fun.
> 
> And dare I say, make it more competitive....ESPECIALLY for 
> the west coast.   As K5ZD once said the secret to winning the 
> WPX is: (paraphrasing)
> 
> A) Run Europe
> B) Run Lots of Europe
> C) See above
> 
> Hard to do from W6.
> 
> How about a change for the better?
> 
> 73,
> Larry K4AB (WZ4F)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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