[SECC] ARRL Sweepstakes

[Bill Coleman]

On Jun 5, 2004, at 9:21 AM, Tommy wrote:

> Does anyone have a workable time strategy established for the CW 
> Sweepstakes contest that they would like to share?
>
> Since you are allowed to operate 24 hours out of the 30 hours, time 
> management can be important. I have thought about not operating in 
> these periods:
>
> Sunday morning from 2 am until 5am, and Sunday from 10am until 1pm.
>
> Does this sound like the 'best' times where minumum activity occurs?

Tom,

I'm not a great CW on in SS, since I favor phone in that contest, but 
it all depends. Sometimes the rate can continue to be good on 80m late 
into the night.

Generally, I plan to operate the first 12 hours of SS straight, but 
will sometimes cut off early if the rate on 80m dies. Be sure to get 
back on early for 40m.

Mid-day on sunday is pretty dead, so that's a good time to take off.

> I live near Valdosta (Cecil, Ga.) and from what I have been able to 
> find out, there is practically NO contest activity down here. Heck, as 
> far as I can find out, I am probably the only CW operator in this 
> area. (But I did get plenty of snears and snide remarks when I was at 
> a Valdosta Amateur Radio Club meeting and mentioned I am a CW 
> operator!) I was actually shocked that the VARC did not even mention 
> the GAQP on their web site. I'm  thinking about setting up a new area 
> club to generate contest interest, but I just have  the feeling it's 
> going to be a very tough sell. Any thoughts or comments to help 
> generate more HF and contest interest in south Georgia sure would be 
> appreciated.

Keep the faith, Tom. Lots of CW ops around, they just don't always show 
up at meetings.

Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL        Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
             -- Wilbur Wright, 1901