[NLRS] Rules & dates/times for the Fall Sprints

[Dr. Gerald N. Johnson]

Its as if the rules creator didn't think about time zone differences 
except for 6m. I interpret the rules to mean that contacts count only 
for the station's contest period. That there's no restriction on working 
stations outside their contest period but the contacts don't count for them.

An alternative allowing time zone overlaps would lengthen the time 
period going against the sprint idea. Yet it discriminates against those 
in working distance of another time zone. Effectively just east of a 
time zone boundary stations loose out on contacts the first hour of 
their contest period across that boundary and those stations just west 
of a time zone boundary loose out on contacts the last hour of their 
contest period at least across the time zone boundary.

It might be more equitable to set the time beginning 7 PM Eastern (or 
Atlantic if there are participants that far east) and ending at 11 PM 
Pacific (or Alaska) with an operating time limit from first contact to 
last contact of four hours.

Unfortunately the few stations I've heard during the best sprint has not 
encouraged me to spend the few pennies on electricity to run the rig for 
the evening or to listen to nothing much but noise for 4 hours. For that 
matter running this year with a limited antenna the September VHF 
contest wasn't all that inspiring.

73, Jerry, K0CQ

On 10/5/2010 3:52 PM, lloydberg at charter.net wrote:
>
>
> Rules say 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM LOCAL TIME
>
> What about contacts across time zones?  I didn't see this issue
> addressed in the rules?
>
> Looks like if we work a Michigan or Indiana (or further east) station,
> it would be disqualified if made during the first hour of their contest
> time or the last hour of our contest time.
>
> 73
>
> Lloyd N9LB
>
>