[PaQSO] Saturday Night

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

I'd like to solicit observations and comments on a different  topic.

Is there significant activity after midnight (local) on  Saturday?  Has 
everybody already worked everybody else by then? Is that  last hour indeed 
worthwhile?

I ask from the perspective of a mobile, for  whom after driving nearly seven 
hours after dark, arriving at a motel at 1 am  and trying to get settled in a 
strange place, is not much fun. When we need to  be up by 8 am at the latest 
to get moving on Sunday morning, it leads to a  rather short rest period. 

That last hour can be a slow period for us, as by then 80 meters  is pretty 
much the only band with action. 80 (75) meters with a 7 foot antenna  is 
difficult. Though 80 CW can be OK, I'd think any mobile trying to operate  primarily 
SSB would be very frustrated being limited to 75 or 40 at that time of  night.

If the fixed stations find this last hour to be a good time, so be it.  I 
know the contest is not only for mobiles. But if the view from the guys  at home 
also is that the last hour is a drag (if they're not already  in bed), might 
consideration be given to ending at midnight (0400z) Saturday  evening?


73   -   Jim     K8MR

Team W3USA (/m)
 



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