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

[Mike Tessmer]

I suspect a "24 Hour" category would show very positive numbers initially.  I'm doubtful there would be this sudden surge of "Casual Joe" type ops (they typically get on when they get on) but maybe a few would up their game.  In all likelihood the bulk of "24 Hour" entrants would come from "30-36 Hour" guys that dial it back.  Net result is less overall activity/QSOs.  But that may all be fine and good in the end.

And then one weekend a renegade "48 Hour Guy" with all his stacks and SO2R and other evil gadgetry invades the category because he finds he can still get his competitive fix and not have to kill himself in the process.  And then a couple of his peers join in the fun next time for the same reason, and they begin to dominate the category.  And then we're all back here after the contest complaining that "48 Hour Guy" shouldn't really be operating in the "24 Hour" category with his big station and that if you have "x" number of elements on "x" number of bands you should enter in another class or category or something because it's unfair.

As someone else alluded to, be careful what you wish for.


73, Mike K9NW