[UK-CONTEST] UK Sprint Experiment.

[Peter Hobbs]

For me, the interesting thing was the number of non-UK casual participants 
who had taken the trouble to listen and divine what was going on (about 25% 
of the total in my case).  Not all realised they had to scarper after the 
first QSO, but they were in the minority.

As an introductory exercise to see who might be interested I don't think we 
could expect a lot more.  It was publicised at the last meeting of my local 
club and met with blank and disbelieving stares all round, so it may be some 
time before we are up to CC levels.  Some people seemed to arrive on the 
scene quite late and I still found 12 in the last half hour.  Calling CQ was 
a waste of time towards the end - after a QSO, I tended to surrender "my" 
channel straight away and carry on searching.  I have a feeling that SO2R 
wouldn't be too productive either :)  This is the only event where you have 
a chance to call some of the less experienced/pushy or QRP entrants who 
never CQ, thereby hopefully building their confidence.  I hope it continues.

73, Peter G3LET

From: "Ian Pritchard" <g3wvg at btinternet.com>

> Hi All
>  Well that was my first ever "sprint" and it was an interesting UK 
> experiment.  Interesting, that is, for the first 15 minutes.  It simply 
> wasn't exciting enough.   I think that unless or until the contest is more 
> fully supported a 30 minute duration would be more appropriate.  I was 
> however  impressed by the dogged determination of the leading stations who 
> unlike me persevered to drive their score well into the heady 50's.  But, 
> would I do it again ? ..Yes I suppose so.