[CQ-Contest] Winter NS Ladder Series Starts This Week

[Bill Haddon]

The NS Ladder Advisory group N6ZFO, N4AF, K6UFO, W4NZ, K4BAI, W9RE, N3BB
and W0BH announces:


* NCCC Sprint Ladder XIX - "Contesting on the Edge"      *
    Starting this week and continuing for 8 weeks without no break  ..
Thursday night in NA, 0230-0300Z (Fri UTC).  The winter ladders have been
the most popular. . it gets really exciting with 50 stations. .   so please
consider joining this fun activity. . . good weekly tuneup prior to the
weekend contest events, and especially good for improving or maintaining
your CW NA Sprint skills.

         -- 20, 40, 80 and 160m  38-44 KHz up from band edge or 1813-1818
on 160m.
          -- 100 watts max power.
          -- Sprint format, mults per band and 1 KHz minimum QSY, 2-3 KHz
encouraged.
          -- Contact stations once per band.
          -- Score reports to 3830scores.com (Tks, WA7BNM)
          -- Participate in 5 of 8 sessions to qualify for awards
          -- In final rankings, the top five scores count.

    New participants are encouraged to join this friendly group of about
100.   You won't be disappointed.

    Rules:  http://www.ncccsprint.com/ladder.html
    Schedule:  http://www.ncccsprint.com/next_ns.html
    Divisions . . see map at http://www.ncccsprint.com/ladder.html

    Important rules:
        1) Strictly observe the 30 min time limits  . . see
http://www.ncccsprint.com/rules.html paragraph "Time".
        2)  After 2nd Q of couplet, leave a pause for the cq'ing stn to ask
for fills.
        3) Spread out. Consider QSY of 2-3 KHz after completing a couple
rather than the minimum 1 KHz.

    Awards:  CA Pinot Noir wine from the famous W0YK vineyard awarded by a
weighted random drawing.  Minimum 5 of 8 weeks participation required for
awards. . additional entries in drawing table for 1st, 2nd place scores in
division and for perfect 10-wk attendance.

    Code Speed:  We are not shy about high cw speeds.   However regular
participants are admonished to slow down when necessary -- actually part of
the strategy for maximizing score.   Speeds above 40 wpm are discouraged
but not dis-allowed.

    nccc-blue reflector:  All are invited to join this low-volume reflector
to discuss NS and NS Ladder topics.  Sign up at:
    http://www.kkn.net/mailman/listinfo/nccc-blue   Phil, W6PK will see
your request.

Tom, N3ZZ continues to run an enjoyable, innovative and exciting NS between
the ladders -- he gets a rest now. And special thanks to Matt, NQ6N and
John, K6MM, who provide the score reporting and to Ken, N6RO, for
continuing with the RTTY NS.

    73 Bill n6zfo

    ?'s to n6zfo at arrl.net or any Advisory Group member.