I actually make use of k6tu.net to look at propagation, and then make a decision based on my station capability and location. Your conditions will be different from others.

In the Roundup you are allowed 2 break periods of not less than 30 minutes. 

In general I typically go to sleep when the rate drops, then arise a few hours later before dawn to work Asia etc on the low bands. Whether I take that as one 6 hour break period or I take a 4 or 5 hour break and leave another break period in reserve depends on what I think will happen at sunrise, whether I think I'll need to do station repairs, etc.

Remember that the time from 1800 Saturday to your first QSO, and the time between your last QSO and 2400 Sunday, do not count as a break period. So if e.g. you sleep say 4 hours, and take a 1 hour sunrise break, then you can just knock off early when you get to 24 hours in the log.

On the other hand, activity is still pretty strong at the end of the Roundup in previous years. It's a dice roll.

Have fun! - jeff wk6i

On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 3:37 PM, Marshall "Matt" Thomas, WX5S <mmthoma@attglobal.net> wrote:
What kind of off time strategy do you recommend?
73, Matt WX5S


On Wed, Jan 3, 2018 at 2:33 PM, Jeff Stai <wk6i.jeff@gmail.com> wrote:
Multipliers are key in the RTTY Roundup to make the highest score. You also of course need and should maximize rate to get the Qs, but a little looking around can pay off.

1. In last year's Roundup, there were 90 DXCC entities available, excluding mainland W and VE: 4 Africa, 15 Asia, 44 EU, 10 NA, 9 Oceania, and 8 SA. And all 48 states, DC, and 9 provinces were represented last year (VE4 notably missing). That makes 148 total available multipliers. The top stations last year had over 130 of those.

2. If you are comfortable with packet, enter as Unlimited. Last year Unlimited entries typically had 10-20 more mults than the corresponding unassisted categories.

3. The good news is that multipliers count only once, so take advantage of - and anticipate - band openings to different parts of the country and world to fill up your mult list. 

4. Be aware of band plans in other parts of the world, especially on 40 and 80. You'll find plenty of domestic stations above 3580 and 7080 and some DX, but a lot of DX will be lower in the band on 40 - around 7035 to 7055. On 80 Asian and Oceania will be below 3575, down as low as 3525.

5. A third of those DXCC were represented by one callsign. Work them when you got them! It can be worth it to spend a few tries to beat the pileup. This also applies to VE4. ;)

6. When you are running be aware of the power of the Skimmers. Throw out some contest CQs and search the RBN for your call before the contest to make sure they are decoding your CQ. And move once in a while to make sure you get re-spotted. Here - http://www.reversebeacon.net/srch.php

I've copied last year's DXCC entity list below for reference, but hopefully more than this will be available!

And if you have anything to add please chime in.

Have fun! -  jeff wk6i

2017 Roundup DXCC Entities that submitted logs

Africa
CN
D4
EA8
ZS

Asia 
4J
5B
9K
A7
A9
BV
BY
HL
HS
JA
TA
UA9
UN
VR
VU

Europe 
9A
CT1
DL
EA
EI
ER
ES
EU
F
G
GI
GM
GU
GW
HA
HB
I
IS
LA1
LX
LY
LZ
OE
OH0
OH1
OK1
OM
ON1
OZ
PA1
S5
SM
SP
SV1
TF
TK
UA
UA2
UR
YL
YO
YU
Z3
ZA

N America 
6Y
CM
FG
HI8
HP
K
KL
KP2
KP4
TG
VE
XE

Oceania 
9M6
A3
DU
E5/s
KH6
T8
VK
YB
ZL

S America 
CE
HK
LU
OA
P4
PY
PZ
YV



--
Jeff Stai ~ wk6i.jeff@gmail.com
Twisted Oak Winery ~ http://www.twistedoak.com/
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/twistedoak

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--
Jeff Stai ~ wk6i.jeff@gmail.com
Twisted Oak Winery ~ http://www.twistedoak.com/
Facebook ~ http://www.facebook.com/twistedoak