[CQ-Contest] NCJ Article RE: Sweepstakes Change Suggestions

[George Fremin III]

On Thu, Mar 15, 2018 at 11:26:36AM -0700, Jim Brown wrote:
> 
> Allowing a QSO per band would give east coast and midwest stations the 
> same huge advantage during low sunspot years that the east coast enjoys 
> in DX contests, and which discourages participation by west coast 
> stations. 10M has been dead out west for nearly a year, and 15 is on 
> it's way there. That gives the west coast one band on which to work 
> second and third tier stations in the much higher population density 
> areas east of the Mississippi.


What?

Do you think 10 and 15 are better from the east coast and midwest?
To where?  

These bands are not open for them either and in fact they are not
useful for reaching population centers - except for the west coast -
for the most part. The same is true of 20 meters.

Making SS an event where you can work stations on each band would only
make the stations that are further from the population centers work
many more folks.  It is true that the midwest and east coast could make
more contacts 160/80/40 - but the truth is that most folks do really
poorly on 160 and 80 - the casual guy, new hams, city lots etc.
stations can barely get on 40 meters much less any lower band with any
signal or hope of hearing much.  10/15/20 are much easier bands for
the most part do to antenna gain and antenna size.

One of the great things about this one qso regardless of band concept
is that it makes it possible for a wide range of stations to do well
in the SS.  You can chose the band that works best for your geography
and your station. Looking at the band breakdowns in SS is very
interesting. I find it fascinating seeing the band choices that others
make.



-- 
George Fremin III - K5TR
geoiii at kkn.net
http://www.kkn.net/~k5tr