[K3PZN-List] Sweepstakes CW (this weekend) SSB (in 2 weeks)

[Curt Milton]

Just a reminder to get on the air at least some.  Hang your 'shingle' in 
displaying your call and year first licensed with every QSO.  


Exchange is serial number + class (A,B, Q, ...) + call + year first licensed + 
section.  


example: 123 A WB8YYY 76 MDC

A = 150 watts or less
B = more than 150 watts
Q = QRP (5 watts or less)

Participants are US and Canada only, including PR and VI islands.  While your 
favorite political candidate or party didn't score everywhere - you can watch 
the sections fall as your work them!  Note in this event you only work each 
station once - to operate on whatever band 'is working for you' at a given 
time.  


I am going to operate with my K2 at 100 watts, and a mix of antennas for near 
and far QSO's.  For CW I like the audio and QSK of this rig, plus I gave birth 
to this thing.  I thought about running QRP, but I already have a certificate 
for high score in the section (meaning K3TW who always beats me operated that 
year in a different class -- but now he is in the NFL section ... ).  Also I 
gave birth to the K2's 100 watt section, and I want to work those more distant 
multipliers like PAC (=KH6).  (One year I did work 74 of the 80 sections QRP but 
I don't trust propagation this year ....).  


If you don't yet have contesting software - try N1MM if you have a PC interface 
to your rig.  If your rig is not connected to your PC, try Writelog but remember 
what band you are on!    


Get on even if you can only spend a short time - the unique exchange is 
excellent CW (and SSB the weekend after next) practice.  If the beginning of the 
event proves too overwhelming, later in the contest things will get more casual 
as folk are more anxiously looking for new stations.  Just treat at an 
opportunity to get on the air!  


73 Curt