[CQ-Contest] 24-hour Overlay was: WW Committee feared that some of the non-assisted hotshots would take the opportunity to drop down to the 24-hour category for the sake of an easy

[Pete Smith N4ZR]

Iagree with Dave about the strategy angle.  Originally, I was advocating 
a 24-hour category with no restriction other than time.  I can see his 
SO2R point, but am a little concerned that some of today's 
computer-literate ham population will be turned off by the idea of not 
being able to use cluster spots.  I would have preferred assisted and 
non-assisted "sub-overlays", but decided that half a loaf is way better 
than none for the first year.

Another brief point - after some quick e-mail back-and-forth with Randy 
and John K1AR this morning, I'm sponsoring two 24-hour plaques, one for 
CW and another for phone.  I can't be on for the SSB half, because I'm 
recording the contest for the sponsors on 6 bands, but I'll sure be 
there on CW.

73, Pete N4ZR
Just a boy, his radios, and his computers

Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
http://reversebeacon.net,
blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
For spots, please go to your favorite
ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.

On 10/23/2013 12:55 PM, David Gilbert wrote:
>
> As a long time (and vocal) proponent of a 24 hour category, I really 
> don't have a problem with the restrictions.  It was never intended to 
> appeal to "hard core" contesters, who are much more likely to push for 
> more hours, and I would place most SO2R players in that hard core 
> category.  It was intended to encourage hams who knew they would never 
> place high in a 48 hour category (remember those 90% who operate less 
> than 24 hours?) to make a serious effort ... and going up against SO2R 
> stations hardly does that.
>
> In addition, one of the appeals to me of a 24 hour category was the 
> additional emphasis on strategy that it would bring.  The choice of 
> operating times and bands presumably will have even greater leverage, 
> and relying on spotting assistance to help make those decisions 
> defeats that.  The emphasis now is on operators having to make their 
> own choices instead of band maps doing it for them.
>
> So I'm fine with the rules as they are now and I hope they don't change.
>
> 73,
> Dave   AB7E
>
>
>
> On Tue, Oct 22, 2013 at 6:59 AM, Pete Smith N4ZR 
> <n4zr at contesting.com>wrote:
>>> Bravo, Steve!
>>>
>>> I would just add one point.  I've been told that the 1 radio no 
>>> spotting
>>> caveats were added because some folks on the CQ Committee were 
>>> concerned
>>> that non-assisted hot-shots would drop down to the 24-hour overlay 
>>> unless
>>> these things were outlawed.  I frankly doubt this, particularly with
>>> respect to the assisted/non-assisted angle.  However, instead of 
>>> sitting on
>>> the sidelines, it is important that supporters of the 24-hour category
>>> enter it this year, so that we can credibly make the argument for 
>>> loosening
>>> that restriction next time.
>>>
>>> To encourage participation, I have funded a Classic overlay/World top
>>> score plaque for 2013.  It doesn't show up on the web site yet, but 
>>> it *is*
>>> funded, and I'm sure they'll fix that before the contest. This is your
>>> chance for some nice hardwood.
>>>
>>> 73, Pete N4ZR
>>> Check out the Reverse Beacon Network at
>>> http://reversebeacon.net,
>>> blog at reversebeacon.blogspot.com.
>>> For spots, please go to your favorite
>>> ARC V6 or VE7CC DX cluster node.
>>>
>>> On 10/22/2013 9:26 AM, Steve London wrote:
>>>
>>>> And a special reminder....
>>>>
>>>> There is a new overlay entry category - CLASSIC
>>>>
>>>> The principle features are:
>>>>
>>>> - 24 hours
>>>> - 1 radio
>>>> - No DX spotting
>>>>
>>>> See the rules for more details.
>>>>
>>>> Many CQ-Contest readers have been asking for this category. Hope 
>>>> you will
>>>> be taking advantage of it.
>>>>
>>>> 73,
>>>> Steve, N2IC
>>>>
>
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