[SCCC] Sweepstakes Feedback Request from ARRL CAC

[Bruce Horn]

Following post was on the ARRL contest reflector;

There's informal discussion on NCCC's reflector on this topic.  Most common reaction to allowing contacts on all 6 bands is then Sweeps would be too similar to NAQP.  I agree with that.  I think repeating the long exchange 4 or 5 times with the same station would get tiresome and tedious.
 
The primary issue with Sweeps (as expressed in 3830 posts) is low rates on Sunday.  One NCCC member proposed splitting Sweeps into two equal periods and allowing no more than 2 QSOs per station:
 
Sweeps 1st Half is 2100-1159 UTC: Work a station only once
Sweeps 2nd Half is 1200-0300 UTC:  May work any 1st Half station again on one different band.  Any station worked for the first time during the 2nd Half may also be worked on one additional band.  
Each Q is still 2 points.  No change to multipliers or sections.
 
I like this idea. Competitive stations would probably achieve 1500-1800 QSOs for the contest, which is about what was achieved in SS 10 or 20 years ago.  The 2nd QSO rule on Sunday would open the possibility of working Sunday Drivers and then moving them to a 2nd band.  Sundays would have much more activity than now, fun factor would go up significantly I think.
 
73 Jim K6OK

----- Original Message -----
From: "Bruce Horn" <bhorn at hornucopia.com>
To: "SCCC Reflector" <sccc at contesting.com>
Sent: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 4:42:06 PM
Subject: [SCCC] Sweepstakes Feedback Request from ARRL CAC

Message from KC7V, our SW Division CAC Rep. Please reply to Mike, but copy the SCCC reflector if you wish.

Southwest Division Contest Ops - looking for some quick feedback on the thoughts below.

Many have complained about the Sunday afternoon slowness of Sweepstakes.  The CAC is considering changes to the present format of Sweepstakes to present to ARRL.

Options -

1. Allow QSOs on all bands, or a set number of QSOs per station
2. Change the hours from 1800z to 1800z, but still with 6 hours off
3. Leave the exchange the same
4. Shorten the contest hours
5. Allow an operator to use different callsigns
6. Make no changes

Those of you who are Sweepstakes operators, please state your ideas and thoughts, or something not shown above.
--
73, Mike KC7V
SW Division CAC Rep
mikekc7v at gmail.com

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