N4KG: Re: TopBand: 160M S. S. Contest

[T. A. Russell]

--------- Begin forwarded message ----------
From: N4KG
To: jbmitch@vt.edu
Subject: Re: TopBand: 160M S. S. Contest
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 14:59:36 PST
Message-ID: <19970223.150111.6750.1.N4KG@juno.com>
References: <199702231901.OAA27238@sable.cc.vt.edu>

160M  SS Contest - de N4KG

Years ago, I proposed to the ARRL Contest Committee that the
ARRL 160M CW contest be changed from TWO nights, beginning
before sunset on the east coast  on FRIDAY AFTERNOON in mid-
December to a SINGLE night, beginning SATURDAY afternoon and
ending SUNDAY morning.  The idea was well received by the committee
at the time but never implemented by ARRL.  I think it still has merit.

To compete effectively in this contest, it is necessary for USA operators
to take either a half or full day of vacation on Friday and to stay up
all
night, two nights in a row, to work primarily the USA and Canada.
My friends who take this contest seriously, tell me they work 75% 
of their contacts the first night, and then have to stay up ALL NIGHT
AGAIN on SATURDAY to dredge up the remaining 25%.

Personally, I am not willing to endure all of this to work mostly 
local stations, but think a SINGLE night (Saturday) of "160 meter
Sweepstakes-like" activity  could be fun.  If there is a concensious
in this direction, perhaps it is time to pursue this idea again with the
contest committees.  

By default, the CQ 160 CW contest seems to be the primary 160M
DX contest and the CQ 160 SSB contest in February seems to be
the 160M  SSB  Sweepstakes.  Perhaps this contest needs to be
reevaluated for time and duration as well.

It would appear that there is too much "local-activity" based contesting
chewing up the short (winter) DX season.  Reducing these contests
to a single night might be a way to improve both activities.

de Tom - N4KG

.
--------- End forwarded message ----------

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