Sweepstakes 2006: PVRC’s Plan to Take Back the Gavel By Jim Nitzberg, WX3B Using K3MM’s Strategy & Tip Papers

Sweepstakes Scores Historical Perspective 2004: PVRC Was #3, by WIDE Margin 2005: PVRC Edges out SMC for #2 position, NCCC score way down 2006: Opportunity to take advantage of Trends: PVRC up, SMC Down, NCCC down…but they could get motivated!

The Tactical Plan PVRC Club Strategy Outlined Individual Operating Strategies Station Strategies

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.

What’s an HMO? Highly Motivivated 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!

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.

Individual Operating Strategies Make SURE all your equipment works BEFORE the contest 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.

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.

Station Strategies Use Low, Efficient antennas. Dipoles and Inverted Vees at 35 – 50 feet make EXCELLENT SS antennas. Use a EWE, Beverage or other RX antenna for 75/80 meters Be comfortable. Have snacks, drinks at easy reach. Keep aspirin handy.

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!

Go PVRC!