[CQ-Contest] How many hours do SOAB entrants actually operate?

[Richard F DiDonna NN3W]

On 3/26/2013 8:00 AM, Stan Stockton wrote:
> It would be interesting to know whether there is some maximum number of hours (for single operators only) that would cause many of those who play around for 20-30 hours to go all in.
>
> How many don't give it a full effort because they can't go 46 but would make the attempt to go 40, for example?  I wouldn't recommend less than about 40 or 42 max but would think it might be a positive to have some required off time if the end result was more activity overall.  Looks like only 3% (less than 150 out of 5,000) operate even as many as 36 hours.
>
> There are some who are passionate about the 48 hours but it can't be many.
>
> Stan, K5GO
>
>
> On Mar 25, 2013, at 2:53 PM, David Gilbert <xdavid at cis-broadband.com> wrote:
>
>
I've never gone all 48 in any DX contest - be it ARRL or CQWW. There are 
reasons for this.  As a stateside op running unassisted, the second 
night is -horrendous- .  Usually, one is lucky to get 20 or 30 an hour 
during the weakest hours of the night.  That means awful rates and if 
you graph points and multipliers, the gain in score is pretty minimal.  
You also need to assess whether going that extra 90 or 120 minutes is 
worth it when you are very likely to wind up hallucinating 6 or 8 hours 
later and your rate suffers...

When you are a DX station - meaning you are one of one or two stations 
in the DXCC entity during CQWW, the sheer volume of QSOs and activity is 
such that you can actually have the adrenalyn rush to keep you going.  
Missing 200 QSOs may make a difference.

73 Rich NN3W