[SJRA-Members] ARRL Sweepstakes

[Bob Beyer]

For those who are planning on operating the ARRL SSB Sweepstakes this
weekend, here are some tips to improve your chances of getting a clean
sweep.


If you want to work a clean sweep, there is no proven formula but there are
some things you can do to improve your odds:

1. Operate in a category that allows you to use a telnet cluster so you can
see stations spotted:  U, or M.  A, B, and Q are not allowed to use spotting
assistance.

2. Use a Call History file in N1MM.  This way the program will recognize
what section a station is in when they are spotted and will make their call
red in the Band Map and Available windows.

3. If a hard to find section pops up, try to work them as soon as you can.
You don't know if the band will be open to them later on.

4. However, don't spend forever calling them.  If you spend 5 minutes and
haven't gotten through, come back to them in a little while.  You may need
to try 3 or 4 times, possibly more.

5. Call CQ.  Also called "running".  While it is possible to get a clean
sweep by just using search and pounce, you stand a better chance of getting
the sweep if you find some time to call CQ.  There are stations in some of
the trickier stations who do not call CQ but will come and find you.  It's
not unusual for stations in NV, RI, NL, WTX, etc. to call you when you call
CQ but you may have a hard time finding them.  Your best chance for success
is to use a mix of running and searching.  Don't assume that low power means
you can't call CQ.  100W is plenty, even with a modest antenna such as a
dipole.  Finding a clear frequency may be a challenge.

6. Operate at different times of the day and night and on different bands.
It is very difficult to get a sweep by operating on just one band.  Look for
local and regional sections on 80m in the evening; NNJ, SNJ, DE, EPA, WPA,
New England, VA, WVA, NC, SC, OH, KY, etc. are usually easier to work on 80m
at night.  During the day work the middle of the country mostly on 40m and
20m.  Try to work the west coast and western states on 20m and 15m during
the day.

7. If 15m opens up, this may be your best chance to work AK (Alaska), NT
(Northern Territories), and PAC (Pacific).  These sections are always tough.
If 15m does open on Saturday afternoon, it will not last long so take
advantage of it as soon as you're able.  This might be right at the start.

8. Keep an eye out for KH6/KH7 (Hawaii) stations on 20m and 15m in the early
afternoon.  It's much easier to work them on these bands in the afternoon
than to try and do it on 40m in the evening.  If you miss them in the
afternoon, you will need to wait till it gets dark in Hawaii before 40m is
open there and this won't happen till about 11 pm ET.

9. Assuming you're not trying to max your score but are more focused on
getting the sweep, take breaks and vary your operating times.  Remember No.
6, operate at different times.  If you try to push hard for the whole
contest, you may get tired and not be able to operate at key times.  This
doesn't mean get up after 10 minutes and go away for half an hour but if you
try to go for 10 hours with no breaks, you may get burned out.

10. Be assertive.  Be aggressive.  It's a competition.  Don't be rude or
obnoxious but the rules don't say you need to step aside and wait for
everyone else either.

73 & GL,
KE2D