CW SS--Time to Get Excited.

[N8CPA]

Only one month to go until the biggest, baddest, and oldest of #Continuous Wave's cyclic operating events––the ARRL November Sweepstakes. It's older than Field Day and features an actual operating goal––to make at least one contact in each of the 80 ARRL/RAC administrative sections, to make the elusive Clean Sweep. And since each Section contacted is a multiplier, you can amass a great number of points even if you don't get the sweep.

But this is not your typical "599 S/P/C/Z QRZ" exchange event. #In fact, it might be the most complex exchange in any contest. It simulates the structure and format of formal third party traffic. #It consists of five parts; a serial number, precedence [Category], source call sign [Your station], a two digit check number [The year first licensed], and geographic source [Section]. And since, signals are typically densely packed on a band, it's a good idea to begin the exchange with the intended recipient's call sign. #Over the course of the event, the only parts that should change are the receiving station's call and the serial number. #

If you consider yourself a brass pounder, this one will test the mettle of your metal. If you miscopy any part of the exchange, the rule structure makes the contact worth double negative points. Plus, if the detected error is your only contact in a Section, you can lose the multiplier. So errors make you not only subtract from your score, you divide it! #And there are neither consolation points nor consolation multipliers. This is not Field Day, no bonuses! And since you can work stations only once, there are no make-ups or fills on another band. You must get it right first time, every time, before you move on to the next contact.

You might find it impossible to bust the scattered pileups for such Sections as Alaska, Pacific, Yukon, etc. You might find yourself calling CQ endlessly on Sunday afternoon, without answer. #You might get frustrated as you search for those last few Sections to fill out your log for the sweep.

I have been through all of those situations over the last twelve years. #A few years ago, I tried calling CQ on Sunday afternoon and the sun answered with a flare that completely wiped out the bands for several hours. #When they only partially recovered, every signal had to be copied through aurora. #Another year, when I found the pileup for what must have been the only North Dakota station on that year, a late season thunderstorm blew in and I had to QRT for an hour. Nope––never found him again.

And I'm hoping the thirteenth time's the charm when it comes to at last working the Yukon for the Sweep. I've even developed some rituals to facilitate that thus far unattainable log entry during Sweepstakes. #One year, I had a ceremonial bonfire as I raised my newly repaired lopsided Vee antenna. #As I hoisted the antenna, my laptop played the strains of the Donna Diana Overture to invoke the spirit of Sergeant Preston. #I hoped that he would let VY1JA know that I was indeed Cqing him. Alas, it did not work. #

So this year, I'm going for the spirit of Yukon King. #The next time my neighbor takes her husky walking past my house, I'm going to invite her to let him loose in my yard to lift his leg against the leg of my tower. #Yeah--that'll work.

And every year so far, despite the frustrations, after it's over, I realize I've had an awful lot of fun that I can't wait to have again the following year.

If any of it sounds like fun to you, find the complete rules at arrl.org, operating activities, contests--you'll figure it out. If you're new to amateur radio or the hamly art and language of CW, don't be intimidated by the speeds. #99% of participants, including me, will be glad to QRS. #I'll even go straight key to get you in the log. #And by the time you make your tenth contact, you will likely find your own speed increasing.

It starts at 2100 hours UTC Saturday, November 3, and runs until 0300 hours UTC, Monday, November 6. What will be interesting this year, is that it will begin in Daylight time and finish in Standard time. #For me, that means it will start an hour later local time than it has in previous years, but it will finish at the traditional time. #Listen for what I call the feeding frenzy from 0200Z to 0300Z Monday morning. #And expect to hear a lot of CQ PAC, CQ AK, ND, etc.

Now I close with a song parody:

CQ CQ SS
CQ SS
CQ CQ SS
CQ SS

Will I CU in November?
Amid the Sweepstakes
Stations on the air?

Here I am sitting alone in my station.
Great anticipation
To jump into the fray.

Have a good time
And remember
That there's always
Propagation to somewhere
But will I log you
In November?
Or lose you
To another solar flare?

CQ CQ SS
CQ SS
CQ CQ SS
CQ SS...

# #
#
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

001 A N8CPA 79 OH -K-

[N8UZE]

Hope so. Got my very first Clean Sweep last year. The one that I took to nearly the end to get was Santa Barbara.

[ZD7X]

I would love to try for a "clean sweep"...........Too bad there is no scoring for DX stations in this contest.


Tom ZD7X

[kb9bit]

Last year I worked the CW SS for the first time and ended up getting a clean sweep, or so I thought. #My bubble was burst when I checked (I think it was in QST) and did not see my call listed among those who had gotten a clean sweep. #After checking my online score and results I saw that the mobile in VT that I worked was counted as NH and on the WTX and PAC stations that were worked I had gotten their checks wrong, off by one number.

So technically I didn't get the sweep, but I did end up working all the sections as far as I'm concerned. #I'm not sure why the VT station was counted as NH. #I even went back and checked the cluster spots to see if I had it right and saw that several other stations had worked him as VT.

Oh well. #I guess I'll just have to do it again! #I'm looking forward to the fun.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (kb9bit @ Oct. 03 2007,09:05)]Last year I worked the CW SS for the first time and ended up getting a clean sweep, or so I thought. #My bubble was burst when I checked (I think it was in QST) and did not see my call listed among those who had gotten a clean sweep. #After checking my online score and results I saw that the mobile in VT that I worked was counted as NH and on the WTX and PAC stations that were worked I had gotten their checks wrong, off by one number.

So technically I didn't get the sweep, but I did end up working all the sections as far as I'm concerned. #I'm not sure why the VT station was counted as NH. #I even went back and checked the cluster spots to see if I had it right and saw that several other stations had worked him as VT.

Oh well. #I guess I'll just have to do it again! #I'm looking forward to the fun.
Maybe he was in both if he was mobile, and his QTH depended on when you worked him. The rules do not limit participation to fixed only, except for Class S. It might be worth a note the contest branch for future consideration.

As far as missing a Q#, that could be either yours or the other station's logging error. The log checking robot is good but it's not perfect. If the other guy errs, so does the robot when looking at yours.

I suspect sometimes two stations report the same Q# from the same call sign. It's usually a case that one station confuses an exchange sent to another he can't hear. That's why I'm careful to specify for whom my brass tolls.

[n0nwo]

We get to QRM those other digital guys! http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

Minton

[N8UZE]

While I don't know about the QST listing, the award eligibility for a Clean Sweep Mug is the claimed score not what happens after all the log checking. So even though they are dropped from your score for an incorrect "check", you still can get the award. Check the ARRL website for details on that.

[KN7T]

I'll be putting in a full effort on this one, like I do in most years. Never have gotten the clean sweep, missed it by one on two different occasions. One rule change I'd like to see is to limit the power output to 100 watts, just like the NAQPs.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (N8UZE @ Oct. 03 2007,12:23)]While I don't know about the QST listing, #the award eligibility for a Clean Sweep Mug is the claimed score not what happens after all the log checking. #So even though they are dropped from your score for an incorrect "check", you still can get the award. #Check the ARRL website for details on that.
That's true. A few years ago, I ordered a participation pin I planned to hang on a bunting in my station. I was sent a mug by mistake. And the League told me to keep the mug when they mailed what I ordered.

So I have a Clean Sweep Mug, that I'm committed to earn retroactively. And even that fits into my pre-SS rituals. I like to fill it with Contest Water, a mixture of 21-year-old Scotch and H2O in both solid and liquid state. Then at some point immediately before, or during the first break, I toast propagation. And when I finally do get the sweep, I think I'll break that mug and order a new one.

[NN3W]

A sweep is a real challenge for those that are not assisted. The first 65 sections are easy, but then you really have to bear down for the last ones. The same ones are often the last ones, but sometimes the damnest sections are rare. Back in 2005, VY1JA was my first QSO, so that problem was erased. My problem became KL7 which I did not work until sometime late sunday morning.

This past year, South Carolina was hard to come by.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 03 2007,12:55)]A sweep is a real challenge for those that are not assisted. #The first 65 sections are easy, but then you really have to bear down for the last ones. #The same ones are often the last ones, but sometimes the damnest sections are rare. #Back in 2005, VY1JA was my first QSO, so that problem was erased. #My problem became KL7 which I did not work until sometime late sunday morning.

This past year, South Carolina was hard to come by.
Amen! I think that's why they created the U category, to make it a little easier and sell a few more mugs. But I made up my mind that I'd get it as Class A, before I get it any other way. Although I have operated Class M before.

And SC is usually one of my late ones, too; along with ND and NNY. I think I had trouble with SB one year too.

[K0RGR]

Ahhhh... Sweepstakes - I love the smell of ozone in the morning... it reminds me of VICTORY!

"999A K0RGR 65 MN"

I'm ready!

I will really need to work on getting something on the air for SS - that would be great therapy!

[N8UZE]

Rule 1 - Make a list of probable best times and bands for the different areas.

Rule 2 - Keep the butt in the chair

Rule 3 - Even at times when predictions say you don't have propagation, keep looking for those rare ones as sometimes the propagation forcasts aren't correct due to unpredictable factors.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (N8UZE @ Oct. 03 2007,14:45)]Rule 1 - Make a list of probable best times and bands for the different areas.

Rule 2 - Keep the butt in the chair

Rule 3 - Even at times when predictions say you don't have propagation, keep looking for those rare ones as sometimes the propagation forcasts aren't correct due to unpredictable factors.
Rule 4. Have a second receiver. If all the bands sound dead, pick one and call CQ, while you listen on RX2.

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Oct. 03 2007,14:49)]Quote[/b] (N8UZE @ Oct. 03 2007,14:45)]Rule 1 - Make a list of probable best times and bands for the different areas.

Rule 2 - Keep the butt in the chair

Rule 3 - Even at times when predictions say you don't have propagation, keep looking for those rare ones as sometimes the propagation forcasts aren't correct due to unpredictable factors.
Rule 4. #Have a second receiver. #If all the bands sound dead, pick one and call CQ, while you listen on RX2.
Another cool feature I used on my radio last year was learning how to store frequencies in the temporary memory. This allowed me to periodically and easily check on a "rare" station but chase some of the others that I needed. I could go back to the pile up with just a push of a button.

I found that the main key was to keep the butt in the chair. By staying up late Saturday (til 2am Sunday) and getting an early start Sunday, I had all but three stations by noon on Sunday.

[n2zn]

Quote[/b] (kb9bit @ Oct. 03 2007,06:05)]So technically I didn't get the sweep, but I did end up working all the sections as far as I'm concerned. #I'm not sure why the VT station was counted as NH. #I even went back and checked the cluster spots to see if I had it right and saw that several other stations had worked him as VT.
I know who this was...I worked him too last year. He is my Elmer, actually, and it was our first QSO in ages. He lives in NH, and went over to VT to activate it for SS, then came back into NH and submitted the log. Of course, the League counted it as NH. I got hit for the bad exchange, too, but since I had another VT, I kept the mult. I have the QSL card from him that says VT on it, so you're not crazy.

I won my section last year for low power, something I wanted to do for a while. Seeing that, I'm retiring from single op. See you guys from K2NNY this year.

[k2gsp]

Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Oct. 02 2007,05:28)]Only one month to go until the biggest, baddest, and oldest of #Continuous Wave's cyclic operating events––the ARRL November Sweepstakes. It's older than Field Day and features an actual operating goal––to make at least one contact in each of the 80 ARRL/RAC administrative sections, to make the elusive Clean Sweep. And since each Section contacted is a multiplier, you can amass a great number of points even if you don't get the sweep.

But this is not your typical "599 S/P/C/Z QRZ" exchange event. #In fact, it might be the most complex exchange in any contest. It simulates the structure and format of formal third party traffic. #It consists of five parts; a serial number, precedence [Category], source call sign [Your station], a two digit check number [The year first licensed], and geographic source [Section]. And since, signals are typically densely packed on a band, it's a good idea to begin the exchange with the intended recipient's call sign. #Over the course of the event, the only parts that should change are the receiving station's call and the serial number. #

If you consider yourself a brass pounder, this one will test the mettle of your metal. If you miscopy any part of the exchange, the rule structure makes the contact worth double negative points. Plus, if the detected error is your only contact in a Section, you can lose the multiplier. So errors make you not only subtract from your score, you divide it! #And there are neither consolation points nor consolation multipliers. This is not Field Day, no bonuses! And since you can work stations only once, there are no make-ups or fills on another band. You must get it right first time, every time, before you move on to the next contact.

You might find it impossible to bust the scattered pileups for such Sections as Alaska, Pacific, Yukon, etc. You might find yourself calling CQ endlessly on Sunday afternoon, without answer. #You might get frustrated as you search for those last few Sections to fill out your log for the sweep.

I have been through all of those situations over the last twelve years. #A few years ago, I tried calling CQ on Sunday afternoon and the sun answered with a flare that completely wiped out the bands for several hours. #When they only partially recovered, every signal had to be copied through aurora. #Another year, when I found the pileup for what must have been the only North Dakota station on that year, a late season thunderstorm blew in and I had to QRT for an hour. Nope––never found him again.

And I'm hoping the thirteenth time's the charm when it comes to at last working the Yukon for the Sweep. I've even developed some rituals to facilitate that thus far unattainable log entry during Sweepstakes. #One year, I had a ceremonial bonfire as I raised my newly repaired lopsided Vee antenna. #As I hoisted the antenna, my laptop played the strains of the Donna Diana Overture to invoke the spirit of Sergeant Preston. #I hoped that he would let VY1JA know that I was indeed Cqing him. Alas, it did not work. #

So this year, I'm going for the spirit of Yukon King. #The next time my neighbor takes her husky walking past my house, I'm going to invite her to let him loose in my yard to lift his leg against the leg of my tower. #Yeah--that'll work.

And every year so far, despite the frustrations, after it's over, I realize I've had an awful lot of fun that I can't wait to have again the following year.

If any of it sounds like fun to you, find the complete rules at arrl.org, operating activities, contests--you'll figure it out. If you're new to amateur radio or the hamly art and language of CW, don't be intimidated by the speeds. #99% of participants, including me, will be glad to QRS. #I'll even go straight key to get you in the log. #And by the time you make your tenth contact, you will likely find your own speed increasing.

It starts at 2100 hours UTC Saturday, November 3, and runs until 0300 hours UTC, Monday, November 6. What will be interesting this year, is that it will begin in Daylight time and finish in Standard time. #For me, that means it will start an hour later local time than it has in previous years, but it will finish at the traditional time. #Listen for what I call the feeding frenzy from 0200Z to 0300Z Monday morning. #And expect to hear a lot of CQ PAC, CQ AK, ND, etc.

Now I close with a song parody:

CQ CQ SS
CQ SS
CQ CQ SS
CQ SS

Will I CU in November?
Amid the Sweepstakes
Stations on the air?

Here I am sitting alone in my station.
Great anticipation
To jump into the fray.

Have a good time
And remember
That there's always
Propagation to somewhere
But will I log you
In November?
Or lose you
To another solar flare?

CQ CQ SS
CQ SS
CQ CQ SS
CQ SS...

# #
#
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

001 A N8CPA 79 OH -K-
I love your attitude. It's a great spirit you have. Good luck in the event.

[N8CPA]

A month from this moment. Sunday morning. Grayline activity on 15 and 10. Send a single CQ, ignite a pileup of West Coast Sections. Watch the Sections change color on the logging map view, as I collect them. Ahhhhhh! Who needs sleep?
http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[NN3W]

Grey line? In a domestic contest? No.

[N8CPA]

I'm in civil twilight. That puts me in greyline. I'm workin' 'em, I'm happy.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (N8UZE @ Oct. 03 2007,11:45)]Rule 1 - Make a list of probable best times and bands for the different areas.

Rule 2 - Keep the butt in the chair

Rule 3 - Even at times when predictions say you don't have propagation, keep looking for those rare ones as sometimes the propagation forcasts aren't correct due to unpredictable factors.
Remember, we're talking about sweepstakes here, not a major DX test. At least two bands will be open all the time. So, if you're competitive, the question is not where the openings are, but which band yields the best rate. So, your point is well taken to watch for openings, but that need is tempered by the fact that there are a finite number of multipliers and you work stations ONCE in the contest - not once per band.

If you're in Ohio, in the afternoon its going to be 40 and 20. If you're in the southwest (Texas and west) or the west (rockies west), you typically stay on the highest band that is reliably open. If you're on the east coast, you're also on 20, but you are working 40 meters HARD because of the geographic population concentrations. Florida folks can make 1,000 QSOs on 40 alone if they try hard enough.

As to BIS (butt in seat), its certainly true that you need to stay at the radio. But like Kenny Rogers says, you need to know "when to walk away." That is, in Sweeps, you operate 24 out of 30 hours. Taking time off is often a critical strategy in deciding if you do well or not.

Finally, a second receiver is very helpful on Sunday to scan for new stations. Folks can do this, but this is a developed skill that often is horribly botched the first two times. Single op 2 radio (SO2R) takes practice, and some folks just can't do it.

[ZD7X]

I will get my revenge in CQWW SSB & CW.

Have fun going for the clean sweep guys.......The tough ones for me were always VT, ND and, believe it or not, VE3.


Tom ZD7X

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (ZD7X @ Oct. 04 2007,06:02)]I will get my revenge in CQWW SSB & CW.

Have fun going for the clean sweep guys.......The tough ones for me were always VT, ND and, believe it or not, VE3.


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom ZD7X
Tom, should I assume that I'll be working you on all 6 bands? I'd think 4 at the very minimum.

[n0nwo]

Ir is sooo exciting to read about a contest that actually re-enforces operating skill. If more contests did this, I would have no complaint about them. As it is, most contest are set up to encourage the worst that amateur radio has to offer.

WAY TO GO ARRL!!! It is so nice to see them get this one right. This actually gives me hope and even a desire to re-join. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif

Minton

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (n0nwo @ Oct. 04 2007,07:20)]Ir is sooo exciting to read about a contest that actually re-enforces operating skill. #If more contests did this, I would have no complaint about them. As it is, most contest are set up to encourage the worst that amateur radio has to offer.
Which would be ..... what?

[n0nwo]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,08:39)]Quote[/b] (n0nwo @ Oct. 04 2007,07:20)]Ir is sooo exciting to read about a contest that actually re-enforces operating skill. #If more contests did this, I would have no complaint about them. As it is, most contest are set up to encourage the worst that amateur radio has to offer.
Which would be ..... what?
No skill at all. Just CQ and give a false signal report.

No attempt of limiting power abuses

No attempt at limiting qrm abuses.

although this contest does not address all these points, at least it requires actuall meaniful traffic that simulates a real qso and real third party traffic.

It is funny to me that you would question my last post. I would think you of all people would appreciate hearing somthing positive about the ARRL from someone who usually has nothng to say, or not much good to say about them. But you completely missed it.

Minton

[NN3W]

Oh, so there's no listening skill? #No ability to pull a callsign out of a pileup? #No ability to quickly and efficiently move traffic and work a second station? #No skill in the knowledge of strange propagation paths (e.g., skew path, greyline, aurora, ducting, backscatter, e-skip)? #No skill in the knowledge of the angles at which signals arrive to maximize signal strength and reception (very low angle first thing in the morning)? No knowledge of antennas (both receiving and transmitting)?

Riley himself said that the contesters were some of the most effective listeners and communicators in the service. #Methinks, your view is slightly skewed.

I don't owe the ARRL anything, and don't expect much in return. #Your grudge with the League is your business, and I really am not concerned with it.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (ZD7X @ Oct. 04 2007,09:02)]I will get my revenge in CQWW SSB & CW.

Have fun going for the clean sweep guys.......The tough ones for me were always VT, ND and, believe it or not, VE3.


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # Tom ZD7X
How about an email storm to the Contest branch? They've accomodated the creation, and discreation of multis over the years. I think Cuba and Panama used to be Sections, for example. NL, WCF, and NNY are the newest ones. If there were room for 77, then 78, now 80, there's room for 81.

ARRL:

For the sake of our Sacred [ersthwile] KC0W, change the SS rules. Name DX in any Region a multiplier for future Sweepstakes.

I wouldn't mind that, at all.

[NN3W]

They already did. The Virgin Islands section.... Puerto Rico too.

BTW, a funny anecdote. My first "Pacific Section" contact in last year's SSB sweepstakes was with a station on Guam.....A bit of a reach for section, but nonetheless.

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,07:25)]Grey line? #In a domestic contest? #No.
Yes, try Michigan to California on 80 or Michigan to Pacific on 80 or 40 at dawn.

[NN3W]

Michigan to California is not grayline. #Nor is Michigan to the Pacific (unless you're talking southern Australia). #Grayline propagation is propagation ALONG the the line of sunrise/sunset demarcartion (the terminator). #When you're in Michigan at 1200z (which is sunrise), it is pitch black in both California and in Hawaii. #That is NOT a grayline path, as the principal of grayline involves optiomal propagation just prior to the initial ionization of the atmosphere by the sun and the breakdown of ionization at sunset. #Since its pitch back in California or in Hawaii at Michigan's dawn, you cannot call it grayline.

What would be gray line would be Michigan to Bangladesh. #The sun is just rising in Michigan, and is just setting in Dakka. #Same with Nepal.

The evening Gray line would favor Michigan to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Central China.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,11:38)]They already did. #The Virgin Islands section.... #Puerto Rico too.

BTW, a funny anecdote. #My first "Pacific Section" contact in last year's SSB sweepstakes was with a station on Guam.....A bit of a reach for #section, but nonetheless.
VI and PR are still FCC jurisdiction. Region 2 DX now counts as a Section in FD. In a contest where sections are multipliers, I think DX might be a nice multi. Maybe it could be a wildcard for any ARRL/RAC sections missed--a Sweep with an asterisk.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Oct. 04 2007,09:03)]Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,11:38)]They already did. #The Virgin Islands section.... #Puerto Rico too.

BTW, a funny anecdote. #My first "Pacific Section" contact in last year's SSB sweepstakes was with a station on Guam.....A bit of a reach for #section, but nonetheless.
VI and PR are still FCC jurisdiction. #Region 2 DX now counts as a Section in FD. #In a contest where sections are multipliers, I think DX might be a nice multi. #Maybe it could be a wildcard for any ARRL/RAC sections missed--a Sweep with an asterisk.
When you say Region 2 DX, what do you mean? #KG4 and KP5? Or others.

Yes, in FD DX counts for QSO credits, you just enter in DX as the section.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,12:05)]Quote[/b] (N8CPA @ Oct. 04 2007,09:03)]Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,11:38)]They already did. #The Virgin Islands section.... #Puerto Rico too.

BTW, a funny anecdote. #My first "Pacific Section" contact in last year's SSB sweepstakes was with a station on Guam.....A bit of a reach for #section, but nonetheless.
VI and PR are still FCC jurisdiction. #Region 2 DX now counts as a Section in FD. #In a contest where sections are multipliers, I think DX might be a nice multi. #Maybe it could be a wildcard for any ARRL/RAC sections missed--a Sweep with an asterisk.
When you say Region 2 DX, what do you mean? #KG4 and KP5? Or others.

Yes, in FD DX counts for QSO credits, you just enter in DX as the section.
This is what I mean from the FD rules.

"1. Eligibility: Field Day is open to all amateurs in the areas covered by the ARRL/RAC Field Organizations and countries within IARU Region 2. DX stations residing in other regions may be contacted for credit, but are not eligible to submit entries."

It used to be that US FD stations could contact DX, but the DX would only send RS(T). And though US/VE sations could log them for points, the DX could not earn FD points. Now they can under the current rules, and they participate using the same exchange format and rules as US participants.

I would be more generous, by expanding SS rules to any DX, rather than just R2, as long as they use the same SN PRE CALL CK DX exchange format.

[NN3W]

You could make the suggestion, but it would be a very uphill fight. #Many consider Sweeps to be the U.S. (and Canadian) national championship, and a lot will object to adding a DX component to the contest. #Folks on the Left coast and the central U.S. will argue that it completely alters the character of sweeps by simply having East coast stations beam to Europe for QSOs...

[N8UZE]

Quote[/b] (NN3W @ Oct. 04 2007,12:00)]Michigan to California is not grayline. #Nor is Michigan to the Pacific (unless you're talking southern Australia). #Grayline propagation is propagation ALONG the the line of sunrise/sunset demarcartion (the terminator). #When you're in Michigan at 1200z (which is sunrise), it is pitch black in both California and in Hawaii. #That is NOT a grayline path, as the principal of grayline involves optiomal propagation just prior to the initial ionization of the atmosphere by the sun and the breakdown of ionization at sunset. #Since its pitch back in California or in Hawaii at Michigan's dawn, you cannot call it grayline.

What would be gray line would be Michigan to Bangladesh. #The sun is just rising in Michigan, and is just setting in Dakka. #Same with Nepal.

The evening Gray line would favor Michigan to Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, and Central China.
The angle of grayline is constantly changing. #At certain times of the year the grayline most certainly does pass thru California and Michigan.

For example, on the spring and autumn equinoxes, the gray line will pass thru Michigan and parts of Central America at both dawn and sunset. #It will also pass through countries that are 180° different in latitude from Michigan. #At such times, it will never pass through Africa for us. #Yet at the middle of summer, we can get Africa on the dawn grayline but not Central America.

The grayline is different on each and every day. #Sometimes it does indeed connect California and Michigan and other times it does indeed connect Hawaii and Michigan. #Now whether those times coincide with either Sweepstakes weekend, I'll have to check when I'm at home.

The locations you list for grayline hold true only around the approximate vernal and autumnal equinoxes. #At the summer and winter solstices the grayline will not connect Michigan and the Indian subcontinent.

Note that I did not specify dawn by the way. #And in addition, you can sometimes also work long path on the terminator. #Plus keep in mind that grayline propagation has window on each side of the actual sunrise/sunset time that can last for a couple hours.

[NN3W]

At NO point does the gray line connect Hawaii and Michigan. #Here are some images of the gray line which shows that (in order: fall, winter, spring, and summer). #

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8413/fallou4.th.gif (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fallou4.gif)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/299/winterzd3.th.gif (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=winterzd3.gif)

http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1079/springbl9.th.gif (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=springbl9.gif)

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/8136/summerwh5.th.gif (http://img125.imageshack.us/my.php?image=summerwh5.gif)

The greyline during the morning shows a black blanket over Hawaii. #Nothing even comes close to terminator.

With respect to California, the claim is IMPOSSIBLE. #Its about 1987 miles from Detroit to Los Angeles. #The actual terminator covers a strip that is about 350 miles in width. #

The terminator - at winter solstice - runs diagonally from Michigan to about central Texas (as is shown in the map). #California is another 1300 miles to the west. #This is the most extreme situation because the earth's facing of the sun is at an angle and the sun's rays are most angled (creating the largest footprint across a east-west axis). #As you correctly note, the width is more narrow from a U.S. point a view as the sun is directly at the equator level.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (N8UZE @ Oct. 04 2007,10:00)]The locations you list for grayline hold true only around the approximate vernal and autumnal equinoxes. #At the summer and winter solstices the grayline will not connect Michigan and the Indian subcontinent.
Ummm, actually it does.

Summer:

http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=summerindiahg8.gif

Winter:

[IMG]http://img206.imageshack.us/img206....MG] (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=winterindiaev4.gif)

[K0RGR]

My first suggestion is to optimize your antenna system, whatever it may be, for North America. This may make it harder to work Alaska, Hawaii, and VE8, but it will have other benefits. If you are in the middle of the country, you want a higher angle of radiation. A tribander over 50 feet high

Even if you are in Class A, you should try to hold a frequency and run strings of contacts, rather than 'hunt and pounce'. Save the hunting for later in the contest when you need those last two multipliers. Of course, if you are Class A, people running a KW will try to steal your frequency. Superior antennas will level the playing field.

Hey Techs - this is something you can do too! If you can copy CW at all, you can make contacts, and you'll be amazed at how much your code sped will jump after a weekend of trying to copy people going faster. If you can't copy code, try CWGet and see what you can copy. Maybe you can earn 'Worked All States' during the contest.

[NN3W]

Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Oct. 04 2007,10:50)]My first suggestion is to optimize your antenna system, whatever it may be, for North America. This may make it harder to work Alaska, Hawaii, and VE8, but it will have other benefits. If you are in the middle of the country, you want a higher angle of radiation. A tribander over 50 feet high
Dont get too much above 50 or 60 feet. As yagis get higher into the air, the angle of radiation decreases. For sweeps, you don't want too low of an angle. That is the reason why a lot of top scores come out of hams who have stations which are much smaller than the mega contest stack stations.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (K0RGR @ Oct. 04 2007,13:50)]My first suggestion is to optimize your antenna system, whatever it may be, for North America. This may make it harder to work Alaska, Hawaii, and VE8, but it will have other benefits. If you are in the middle of the country, you want a higher angle of radiation. A tribander over 50 feet high

Even if you are in Class A, you should try to hold a frequency and run strings of contacts, rather than 'hunt and pounce'. Save the hunting for later in the contest when you need those last two multipliers. Of course, if you are Class A, people running a KW will try to steal your frequency. Superior antennas will level the playing field.

Hey Techs - this is something you can do too! If you can copy CW at all, you can make contacts, and you'll be amazed at how much your code sped will jump after a weekend of trying to copy people going faster. If you can't copy code, try CWGet and see what you can copy. Maybe you can earn 'Worked All States' during the contest.
Excellent points. Particularly the advice to Techs with unused CW privs. An ambitious one knowing no code at all, could start learning it today and be proficient enough by that weekend to get WAS. It would be a challenge worth tackling, I think.

And I am thinking about experimenting with my vertical during CQP this weekend, to try to find the optimal height. My arms could use the exercise of turning that crank. I better kill the yellow jacets in the derrick first, though.

[K8YZK]

Well I like CW, and I don't mind a contest even though I don't try to win it as I am not a big gun in any sense, but I think I will head to the WARC bands because I know that it will be wall-to-wall chaos.

Have fun guys and gals

[cu2jt]

The November sweepstakes - that is the weekend when the rest of the world is locked out from the CW part of the traditional amateur radio bands. A perfect weekend for golf.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (cu2jt @ Oct. 05 2007,11:22)]The November sweepstakes - that is the weekend when the rest of the world is locked out from the CW part of the traditional amateur radio bands. A perfect weekend for golf.
And with a DX multiplier added to the rules, the rest of the world could jump in and enjoy. http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[N8CPA]

Tweny Five Days and counting.

[KN7T]

After reviewing the rules for 2007 CW SS, I see no additional multiplier allowance for DX - to what are you referring? The maximum number of multipliers is still 80.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (KN7T @ Oct. 09 2007,17:53)]After reviewing the rules for 2007 CW SS, I see no additional multiplier allowance for DX - to what are you referring? #The maximum number of multipliers is still 80.
One of the frequent posters recently became DX, and commented he might miss SS, because there's no such multi in SS. But there is such a QTH entity during FD. I said we should deluge the League with requests to include DX, so he could still qualify for points.

That's all it was.

[KN7T]

I wouldn't mind seeing a DX multiplier (1) allowance added for SS. It would certainly encourage DX participation at some level without turning it into a DX free-for-all. I'd still like to see them limit the power output across the board to 100 watts for this contest as well since it is essentially a North America event.

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (KN7T @ Oct. 10 2007,14:48)]I wouldn't mind seeing a DX multiplier (1) allowance added for SS. #It would certainly encourage DX participation at some level without turning it into a DX free-for-all. #I'd still like to see them limit the power output across the board to 100 watts for this contest as well since it is essentially a North America event.
Limiting power might be a good idea, for the benefit of therest of the world. But I think more than a few might like operating as Class B. I'm a class A junkie myself. And I intend to get the Sweep that way before I try any other class.

[ZD7X]

Quote[/b] (cu2jt @ Oct. 05 2007,08:22)]The November sweepstakes - that is the weekend when the rest of the world is locked out from the CW part of the traditional amateur radio bands. A perfect weekend for golf.
I share your same feelings 100%.

Don't worry, DX stations will get our revenge in CQWW CW/SSB!!!


Tom ZD7X

[N8CPA]

Quote[/b] (ZD7X @ Oct. 11 2007,09:55)]Quote[/b] (cu2jt @ Oct. 05 2007,08:22)]The November sweepstakes - that is the weekend when the rest of the world is locked out from the CW part of the traditional amateur radio bands. A perfect weekend for golf.
I share your same feelings 100%.

Don't worry, DX stations will get our revenge in CQWW CW/SSB!!!


# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #Tom ZD7X
Isn't that the one where you 'Just CQ and give a false signal report?'

That's outrageous!

http://www.qrz.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif