[CQ-Contest] Past Prediction of the Future of Contesting.

[Bill Coleman]

My consideration of WPX as a rate contest come from the late Bill Fisher W4AN (SK). He said to not worry about multipliers, and focus on rate. Then the multipliers will come.

From my experience at the NQ4I M-M, where I spent a LOT of time on the mult stations, pointing and clicking on spots is generally an exercise in distraction. If the band map is moderately full, you are better off tuning up the band and picking off spots as you go. This has a two-fold purpose. First, it allows you to find stations that have not yet been spotted (or perhaps their spots have expired from the map). Second, when you do tune to a spot, it’s hit or miss on how fresh it might be. Fresher spots tend to be more competitive and it takes more time to get through, which hurts the rate. If you are clicking on recent spots, you will waste time. 

WPX is very different since multipliers aren’t tightly coupled to specific geographical areas as they are for countries or zones.

> On Aug 23, 2021, at 3:32 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e at ku8e.com> wrote:
> 
> Bill,
> 
> It probably doesn't matter much if you are operating casually and using one radio. You can keep the QSO rate pretty decent. But the serious guys operating SO2R are trying to work as many stations as fast as possible. Someone operating SO2R with assistance would have an great advantage over another SO2R station not using assistance. They could just click on the band map and knock off stations instantly whereas the station not using assistance would have to tune their 2nd radio VFO manually to find new stations to work. I also realize that some who operate SO2R also do dual CQing on two different bands, but eventually you might run out of stations to work and the rate will slow dramatically. I can't agree with you that there is no need to hunt for multipliers. Maybe if you're on a Caribbean island and the only station on from that country people will find you but if you have a regular non-rare call that isn't always the case. Multipliers are just as important in WPX as in any other contest.
> 
> Jeff
> 
> On 8/23/2021 2:22 PM, Bill Coleman wrote:
>>> On Aug 22, 2021, at 6:23 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e at ku8e.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Unfortunately the Single-Op rule changes in CQ WPX has taken away the option to choose the way you want to operate. Pretty much you have to operate assisted if you want to have a competitive score.
>> How do you figure, Jeff?
>> 
>> WPX is basically a rate contest. There’s a virtually endless supply of multipliers. If you work enough contacts, the multipliers will come. There’s no need to hunt for multipliers.
>> 
>> Being assisted might actually slow you down and reduce your score.
>> 
>> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
>> Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
>> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
>>            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
>> 
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Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Web: http://boringhamradiopart.blogspot.com
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
           -- Wilbur Wright, 1901