[CQ-Contest] Stop the Sweep madness (already)

[Jack Brindle]

Art;

Sweepstakes is the only contest where the sponsor pushes a sweep. Few can win the contest, but in years past many could attain a sweep. In fact the year the ARRL sent out sweep brushes I missed it by one section. Boy I wanted that brush…

So, with that in mind, being able to get a sweep is very important for this contest. If it becomes close to impossible it will have very bad effects on the contest, and very much change the allure of Sweepstakes. Think of all the hubbub that occurred just a few years ago when it looked like KP4 would not be on! Even then the sweeps count was way down. And now, the concern of not having VY1 in the fray. Adding more sections, no matter where they are, makes it more difficult.

Thus, the sponsor, ARRL, needs to look very closely at the effects of adding more multipliers, no matter where they are. If they are in areas where for some reason contacts simply will not happen, then perhaps it might be time to change the way multipliers are selected.

And yes, NL is very difficult from northern CA, as is AK and VY1 from South Florida. I attained sweeps five years in a row. Haven’t in the last four. Perhaps we might get our clubs together and find some way to buy some sunspots for better propagation?

73!
Jack, W6FB


> On Jan 5, 2020, at 10:55 AM, Art Boyars <artboyars at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> "...you're one station in one Section. What about the other sections with
> few hams?"
> 
> Why is it wrong if the Sweep is hard to do?  Are we afraid of challenges?
> 
> Gee whiz!  I struggle to work some of the "rare" western sections in SS.
> (100W and a dipole; no spotting; mainly CW.)  I can remember when AZ was
> rare and NV was super-rare.  NWT was just one station.  SDAK? NDAK?  VT?
> DE (after it split of from MDC)? Even NH!
> 
> If you don't find some reward in it (fun; competition; skills improvement),
> then don't do it.
> 
> If you don't like the difficulty from where you live, then move (or operate
> remote -- Feh!).  This applies especially if you voluntarily moved to your
> QTH and have nothing binding you there.  If you made a bad decision, then
> correct it.  Quit whining.
> 
> And don't forget to order your Clean Sweep mugs from ARRL.  I think the
> deadline is January 31.
> 
> 73, Art K3KU
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