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Sweepstakes 2008: "Third time's a charm" - the winning approach

Learn the winning strategies for the Sweepstakes contest, including club and individual strategies, station setups, and operating tips.

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Sweepstakes 2008: "Third time's a charm" - the winning approach

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  1. Sweepstakes 2008:“Third time’s a charm” – the winning approachBy Jim Nitzberg, WX3B(Technical Help from Ty Stewart, K3MM)

  2. Sweepstakes ScoresHistorical Perspective • 2004: PVRC Was #3, by WIDE Margin • 2005: PVRC Edges out SMC for #2 position, NCCC score way down • 2006: Need I say more? Almost a “tie” • 2007: Margin of loss 1.1M points

  3. Sweepstakes ScoresWhere are the 1.1M points? • NCCC: 273 logs, PVRC: 241 logs • Need 32 x 40,000 point logs to win • 40,000 point log = 275 QSOs/75 multipliers • Alternatively 6 “big” logs would do I • The club with the most logs: wins

  4. The Tactical Plan • PVRC Club Strategy Outlined • Individual Operating Strategies • Station Strategies

  5. PVRC: Club Strategy • Encourage Individuals to set High Goals for themselves • Promote Single-Op High Power Operations • Discourage Multi/Single operations unless there is no other way for folks to operate. • Individual operators contribute far more to the score than multi-ops, per operator. • Highly Motivated Operators (HMOs) are the exception • Find new members or local clubs to join into the SS fun with PVRC • If you run (U)nlimited or Multi – SPOT EVERYONE, especially other PVRC members. • Make SURE you turn your log in by the deadline.

  6. What’s an HMO? • Highly Motivated Operator, out to improve PVRC’s club score by operating from two locations, with two call signs, during the contest. • Advantage: You have good runs both days! Drawback: You sacrifice your own individual score, since you use two call signs. • PVRC Club Advantage: You generate a larger score for PVRC. • Interested? Contact Jim Nitzberg, WX3B for details. Only one call sign can be used for a “transmitter” in SS. • Example: WX3B operates as KF3P Saturday from N3HBX and makes 1,000 QSOs x 75 sections. Sunday, WX3B goes back to his own house, makes another 1,000 QSOs by 75 sections. More fun, more activity, and more PVRC Points – all by CQing and running stations. No hunting for stations Sunday!

  7. Individual Operating Strategies • Get Started at the BEGINNING of the contest – Saturday afternoon • Listen to the bands for 30 – 60 minutes BEFORE the contest starts to get an idea of the way propagation is running on each band. • Plan to operate until 2:00 – 3:00am Sunday morning on the first day – don’t give up too early! • Save your off time(s) for Sunday afternoon • Limited time? Low Power? Show UP on Sunday for a good time running stations.

  8. Individual Operating Strategies • Make SURE all your equipment works BEFORE the contest: Yes, ALL your equipment. • Double-check voice keyer, antennas, computers • SS is all about RATE! Keep your rate up and keep your eye on that rate-meter. • DO NOT CHASE MULTIPLIERS. They will come to you. • Always call CQ on At Least 1 radio while S&Ping on your second (SO2R operators) • Be Accurate – do NOT bust the exchange. Don’t be afraid to ask for repeats to get everything correct.

  9. Individual Operating Strategies • Do NOT answer weak stations when rates are good. • Get to the next HOT (lower) band FAST, mark your spot for 75m SSB! • Play to your Station's Strengths. You only get to contact each station once. If you have a good 75m antenna – spend lots of time on 75 meters! • Operate the contest on your terms, do NOT get psyched out by others with high numbers. They will be seeking YOU out by the end of the contest • Work the shortest skip band that supports high rate. This is normally the lowest band, and it keeps the QSO potential on the East Coast. • Use packet if you wish, but don’t get “stuck” chasing multipliers. If you can’t get a spot on the first call, do NOT waste time in the pileup. Try back again in 10 minutes.

  10. Station StrategiesFor expected 2008 Conditions • Use Low, Efficient antennas. Dipoles and Inverted Vees at 35 – 50 feet make EXCELLENT SS antennas. • Be aware that your 3 bands are going to be 20/40/80. Don’t be fooled by the 40db/9 signals on 10 & 15. There won’t be many folks to work! • Use a EWE, Beverage or other RX antenna for 75/80 meters. West and South are important directions. A 300’ Beverage works very well. • Be comfortable. Have snacks, drinks at easy reach. Keep aspirin handy.

  11. Station Strategies • Consider operating SO2R for more fun on Sunday! • Figure out a way to get on 75/80 meters. A majority of your SS QSOs could come from this band. An inverted Vee at 50 feet with 500 watts will generate hundreds of QSOs!

  12. PVRC’s historical ramblings • The club with the most operators…WINS sweepstakes • This means the casual operator, not the die-hard contester, determines PVRC’s success. • If we get enough folks to get on and make 500 QSOs, we win!

  13. Getting the word out • PVRC chapter leaders making contacts within their local chapters soliciting participation (September/October) • PVRC “chosen” emailers dividing up Central and Northwest regions • All hands on deck approach/attitude

  14. Not Operating?You can STILL HELP! • How about lending out your station to a guest operator? • Assist other PVRCers with antenna and equipment “parties” • Be a dedicated spotter and…get on the air and SPOT EVERYONE. This makes the game better for all of us. Kudos to NCCC for doing this in 2006…and 2007

  15. Send In Your Log • You laugh, but individuals forget to do this! • Make SURE you mark your log for Potomac Valley Radio Club. • Send it in by the deadline • Save a copy of the ARRL’s robot receipt

  16. Fall, 2008 PropagationWhat we can expect • 10m & 15m good if you’re out west, in mid-west. No density of folks to work if you’re…here. • 20m & 40m to be your daylight money bands • 40m & 80m to be your evening/late night money bands • 80m may be “long” again this year

  17. Operating ScheduleFull Timers • Start on 20, move to 40, or just move right to 80 when the rate drops • Stay on 80 until you have over 1,000 QSOs! • If the rate drops, take a break at about 3:00am, but be ready to resume by 6:00am – 7:00am Sunday

  18. Operating Schedule forpart time operators • Sunday is likely to be your most interesting day. People will flock to YOU for QSOs • 40m & 75m will be great evening bands. • Any time you get on is better than NOT getting on

  19. Go PVRC!

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