Topband: 2004 ARRL 160M Contest

[on4ww]

Hi Ford and all,

I think remembering we discussed what follows, after last year's event.
To that regard, I already talked to ARRL people about this, but there was no 
interest.
Haven't read this year's rules yet, but I guess they have not changed.

My point is that year after year the arrl160m contest has been a non-event 
for me, although I was every year chasing 'new ones'. The problem is there 
is not enough incentive for NA to work DX, even though the DX is a 
multiplier. Meaning that most people with Beverages are not listening to 
e.g. EU.
Year after year it is a pain to try and get attention of the NA stations. 
And those are the only ones, WE can work during this contest.
Imho the remedy to this, would be to increase the points attributed to a US 
station working a DX station, significantly. Only then the directional rx 
antennas will be pointed to other areas more frequently, and everybody will 
have more fun.

73 - Mark

Stories and pictures on ON4WW's travels are on the following URLs :
http://www.on4ww.be and http://www.qsl.net/on4ww


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ford Peterson" <ford at cmgate.com>
To: <topband at contesting.com>
Cc: "Contest reflector" <CQ-Contest at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, November 30, 2004 3:28 AM
Subject: Topband: 2004 ARRL 160M Contest


I have been asked to once again write the QST article and web page content 
for the ARRL 160M contest this coming weekend. (RULES) 
http://www.arrl.org/contests/rules/2004/160-Meters.html  I'm told that we 
may get 3 pages in QST this year!  Last year, I introduced 
"all-time-records" into the results.  Check out the article, along with the 
line scores if you are not an ARRL member. 
http://www.arrl.org/contests/results/2003/160Meter.pdf  And of course last 
year's Soapbox http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/?con_id=57  ARRL members 
can also view the Web Page results 
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/contests/results/2003/160-Meters/  and of 
course the scores database 
http://www.arrl.org/members-only/contests/scores.html?con_id=57

160M propagation can be as fickle as 6M, you just never know until you play 
radio for the duration of the contest.  Just because it sounds rough at 
02:00Z doesn't mean it won't be excellent by 06:00Z.  We are very near the 
peak for 160M propagation (bottom of the solar cycle).  I'm anticipating a 
record year for participation.  You never know, this may be the year you get 
to work Alaska along with the other 49 states.

I would like to ask those of you doing a special effort to help me. 
Pictures are always well received.  If you are trying something different 
that others would find interesting, or just want to brag a bit, I'd like to 
help you out.  Contact me about what you have going.  No promises, but I'd 
like to incorporate as much as possible--especially in the web page content. 
Whatever you put into your ARRL Soapbox is fair game as far as including 
your pictures and write-up in the results.  I encourage you to use the 
Soapbox feature at the ARRL website.  http://www.arrl.org/contests/soapbox/ 
Or contact me directly  N0FP at ARRL.NET

Although the ARRL 160M contest is considered by many to be a 'domestic' 
contest, DX entities are multipliers that play a significant role in the 
results by geographic location.  Part of the plan for this year is to 
include a special feature about the "DX View."  It is hoped that I can find 
at least one significant participant from each continent.  Who did you hear? 
If in EU or AF, how far west?  If in AU or OC, how far east?  The number of 
QSOs by state would be an excellent presentation.  Who did you hear for the 
longest time?  Who could you hear but not hear you?  We want to hear it all 
as filtered through DX ears.  I would especially like to hear from Alaska. 
I have missed AK in the 160M so many times.  I would love to work a WAS on 
Topband.  I am sure I'm not alone.  Maybe 2004 is the year!

See you in the contest.

Ford-N0FP
N0FP at ARRL.NET



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