[NCC] SSB Sprint Saturday Jan 31

[Robert Hayes via NCC]

NA SSB SPRINT  SATURDAY EVENING JAN 31   
   
(FEB 1, 2015  0000-0359Z)   
 
http://www.SSBSprint.com for details


   
Most of you by now have read the Editorial in the Jan/Feb 2015 NCJ regarding the SSB Sprint.  The current editor has decided that the NCJ after nearly 40 years of 
SSB Sprint sponsorship should no longer sponsor this event.  The reason cited has been the decrease in participation over the past few years.  Several possibilities 
for the decline were suggested.  But rather than put forth any efforts or attempts to determine those causes and revive the contest, and despite numerous requests 
from SSB Sprint participants who offered to provide more active promotion of the event, the decision was made to completely abandon it and to do so immediately.  
One factor that is quite evident is the recent lack of interest and promotion by NCJ followed by the self-fulfilling prophecy, “I am not going to get on and operate 
because hardly anyone else will be on.”  But the contest itself is not the source of the problem.  Those who operated it in years past know that when there is good 
participation, SSB Sprint is a very fun event.  This truth is apparent when looking back to times when there was considerable activity in the SSB Sprint.  Simply go 
back to the early 2000’s and take a look at the SSB Sprint results available on the NCJ Sprint Results website.  http://ncjweb.com/Sprint-results/  
   
Scores around 20K, QSO totals in the 300’s and many in the upper 300’s.  Lots of participation.  Lots of commentary about the event.  
   
Therefore, an earnest effort is currently being put forth by a group of contesters who have taken on the sponsorship of the NA SSB Sprint in an effort to continue 
it, promote it and increase the participation levels back to and beyond those enjoyed in the past.  
   
These folks believe that just as a lack of participation begets less participation, so an increase in participation will encourage more participation and with that 
will be the fun and excitement of operating a short fast moving contest.    
   
We have put together some interesting awards and prizes that you will see on the ssbsprint.com website.  
   
We are asking fellow contesters to be part of that increase in participation by being on the air for the next NA SSB Sprint.  Locally this is Saturday evening, 
January 31, 2015 (Feb 1, 2015 0000-0359 UTC).  No other significant contests are scheduled on that evening.  
   
One of the efforts is to activate all 50 states (yes KH6 is now included) and all Canadian multipliers.  A T-shirt will be awarded to everyone who can work all 
50 states in the Sprint.  Obviously most of us are in states that are not “rare”, but if you would like to confirm that you will be on, please go to the 
ssbsprint.com website and indicate so using the “Planned Activity” tab.  We using this to keep track of planned activity from each state.


TNX, NA SSB Sprint Committee