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

[John Geiger]

I was thinking of this question a couple of weeks ago and now seems like
the appropriate time to ask it:

Has there ever been a year where a Clean Sweep was impossible because 1 or
more multipliers did not have any contest activity?

73 John W5TD

On Sun, Jan 5, 2020 at 6:35 PM Jack Brindle via CQ-Contest <
cq-contest at contesting.com> wrote:

> 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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