[NLRS] Microwave Sprint/MAD/SBMS

[John (JK) Kalenowsky, K9JK]

Jon, W0ZQ, wrote (in part):

> ... It would be a plus if these two events could get 
> coordinated in the future.

2011 was a 'special' year with the 1st of May falling on a 
Sunday.

Given that, the first SATURDAY in May, which is the "standing" 
day for the Microwave Spring Sprint and also "coordinated" with 
the monthly Microwave Activity Day ("MAD", being the first 
Saturday of EVERY month) fell on the 7th ("today").

The SBMS contest is defined to be on the weekend that includes 
the FIRST SUNDAY in May, which, I believe is to avoid the SECOND 
SUNDAY in May, aka Mother's Day, though I'm not clear 
why...there would not be any repercussions from a radio contest 
happening to be ON Mother's Day, would there???

THAT meant that the SBMS Contest ran from April 30th through May 
1st for 2011.

It was the combination of first Sunday in May, 2011, being the 
1st and the first Saturday in May, 2011, being the 7th that 
conspired to make the SBMS Contest NOT be on the same weekend as 
the Microwave Sprint (and the monthly Microwave Activity Day) in 
2011.

For 2012, the Microwave/902 MHz and Up Sprint WILL be on 
Saturday May 5th. The first SUNDAY in May 2012 is the 6th so the 
weekend specified for the SBMS contest *should* be the same. 
This *should* continue through 2015.

UN-fortunately, in 2016, this combination of the first Sunday in 
May being on the 1st and the first Saturday in May being the 7th 
happens again.

I'm open to suggestions for alternatives or re-prioritization 
but I feel that remaining aligned with "Microwave Activity Day" 
is the appropriate choice and, in the majority of years, that 
will yield "coordination" between the Microwave Spring Sprint 
and the SBMS Contest.

73, JK