I'm gearing up for NA SSB Sprint tonight https://ssbsprint.com/rules/ and I'm looking at the rules. DO I understand the following rule correctly to mean that you're not allowed to work a pileup? Special QSY Rule: If any station solicits a call (eg, by sending “CQ,” “QRZ?” “going up 5 kHz” or any other means of soliciting a response, including completion of a contact where the frequency was inherited), that station is permitted to work only one station in response to that solicitation. The station must thereafter move at least 1 kHz before calling another station, or at least 5 kHz before soliciting other calls. Once a station is required to QSY, that station is not allowed to make another contact on the vacated frequency until or unless at least one subsequent contact is made on a new frequency.
Thanks for the clarification, Dave. I haven't worked a contest with this rule before. Is that what makes it a "sprint"? Or is it the short 4 hour duration?
The duration is what makes it a sprint. The other part makes it more like a "relay race" sort of concept. I've played it a few times - kinda fun because no one gets to "own" a frequency. EVERYONE is always in motion, going up and down the band making only one contact at a time, and "handing off" the frequency to the guy you worked. But it's definitely one to keep you on your toes and paying attention Dave W7UUU
Remember the tips section: https://ssbsprint.com/tips-tricks/ A very elegant characteristic of the sprint is getting two QSOs in one dial turn: you call someone, then someone calls you, then you QSY. Since you didn't "solicit" the first QSO, you get to immediately solicit one caller as a matter of protocol, then head somewhere else to meet the rules!
And when it REALLY works well, it becomes almost like "gears turning" as everyone gets in sync with the patter and all "walk up the band" as the gears turn. It's RARE but when it happens it's a real hoot It's kind of like "the Wave" in sports stadiums Dave W7UUU
