Inside the NCCC Sprint Grid (Week 3)

The race for the title heats up as N3BB in the West of the Mississippi division scored 1,624 points in week three. Currently, BB is two of three in the 9-week NCCC Sprint Grid series as N6RO representing the NCCC CA/NV division won week two scoring 1,125 points. The East of the Mississippi division top score was 1,081 captained by N4OGW.

Grid Leaders Week 3
1. N3BB, West, 1,624
2. N6RO, NCCC, 1,125
3. N4OGW, East, 1,081

Leader Sprint Point Separation Week 3
RO, -499 points from BB
OGW, -543 points from BB

Point Separation between RO & N4OGW
OGW needs + 44 to tie or + 45 to move into second position going into week 4

The race is on between RO and N4OGW for second position in the Sprint Grid series. The yellow shirt clearly belongs to N3BB at this time. Can RO or N4OGW add the needed Qs and claim the yellow shirt from BB? Let's take a look a division standings as of week three.

East of the Mississippi Division Week 3
1. N4OGW, 1081, 2 of 3
2. W9RE, 903, 1 of 3
3. W4NZ, 770, 3 of 3

West of the Mississippi Division Week 3
1. N3BB, 1624, 2 of 3, week -1 and -3 Grid Series Leader
2. K7SS, 918, 1 of 3
3. W0BH, 897, 3 of 3

NCCC CA/NV Division Week 3
1. N6RO, 1485, 3 of 3, week -2 Grid Series Leader
2. K6VVA, 861, 3 of 3
3. N6ZFO, 627, 2 of 3

Let's look at participation by division using week one and three for comparison purpose.

East of the Mississippi
Week One - 9 logs submitted
Week Three - 8 logs submitted

West of the Mississippi
Week One - 7 logs submitted
Week Three - 11 logs submitted

NCCC CA/NV
Week One - 6 logs submitted
Week Three - 8 logs submitted

The benchmark contest growth number is 22 logs in week one of the NCCC Grid Series and 27 logs in week three. The number of sprinters grew by five. The West of the Mississippi division expanded by 4, the NCCC expanded by 2 whereas the Eastern Division is minus 1 sprinter. The callsign composition by division follows -

East of the Mississippi
1x2s is 6
2x1s is 2
1x3s is 3
2x2s is 1
2x3s is 0

West of the Mississippi
1x2s is 7
2x1s is 3
1x3s is 2
2x2s is 1
2x3s is 1

NCCC CA/NV
1x2s is 4
2x1s is 0
1x3s is 4
2x2s is 0
2x3s is 0

Total
1x2s 17
2x1s 5
1x3s 9
2x2s 2
2x3s 1

(note: analysis is based on callsigns listed on NCCC Grid)

The greatest percentage of callsigns belongs in the 1x2 category followed by 1x3s and 2x1s, respectively. The NCCC Grid Series grew by 5 since the first week. The sprint continues going into week 4 as N3BB wears the proverbial yellow shirt while RO and N4OGW are not far behind. Divisionally, W9RE is nipping at the HF heels of N4OGW in the East meanwhile in the West K7SS and W0BH are within a few harmonics of each other. The NCCC CA/NV division second and third slots might change sprinters going into week four however, RO is a beverage antenna length away.

73s from the KA3DRR low-power, low-profile shack...

Reference:
Northern California Contest Club (2007). NS Results Retrieved on April 7, 2007 from http://www.ncccsprint.com/results.htm

NCCC Thursday Night Madness 4 of 4

The previous 2-Q record fell thanks to stellar 20-meter propagation. Considering, we are at the bottom of the cycle, a stable opening from the west to the mid-west is a valid reason for the extra punchy adjective describing propagation.

The clock sounded sprint madness and KA3DRR called CQ NS on 14.043 while the pack sorted itself out below. I was thrilled and a fraction of nervous when W9RE responded. My excitement calmed to focus as KA3DRR searched for another sprinter. A strong 599 signal from Texas filled my headphones with CQ NS and I tapped out my callsign. The log captured the second QSO of the evening within five minutes.

I sensed a difference.

First, copying the exchange was easier because of previous practice. In addition, my sending the exchange seemed almost automatic without mindful attention. I must send the operator's callsign and serial number before applying the Yaesu FT100 memory keyer. Personally, I find sending Morse code is as important as copying Morse code. One cannot be discouraged if the exchange is not perfect. Ask for a repeat (i.e. again (AGN) or question mark (?))Remember, the purpose of contesting is fun and improving one's skill set comes with time and practice, practice, practice.

The best of the best always start somewhere.

Twenty-meters was propagationally hot and I missed N4OWG but scored another Texan station for the log. The total QSO count on 20-meters stood at three. The previous 2-QSO record fell and I charted new territory moving to 40-meters. KA3DRR is a single-operator 1 radio (SO1R) and changing bands is a strategic risk factor. In contrast, a single-operator 2 radio (SO2R) dedicates one ear to another band for listening purposes. Fascinating. Typically, I'm a few minutes ahead or a few minutes behind other sprinters as .040 and .042 hums with activity.

The call CQ technique did not work on 40-meters unlike 20 for this evening. Instead, KA3DRR searched and pounced (SP) looking for QSO number four. Yes, another Texas station just above the noise level and I tapped out the callsign on the trusty Bencher paddles. As quickly as the exchange begins the exchange ends leaving one with a terrific sense of accomplishment.

My fourth QSO of the evening captured in AE6Y's logging program with 8 minutes remaining. The fun of Thursday Night Madness is like the rush of Superman at Six Flags in Santa Clara. One is left with breath only and 80-meters awaited KA3DRR's 25-watt signal.

The clocked ticked off precious minutes. The SP technique paid and KA3DRR scored a California station plus multiplier just a minute and half before the sprint finish line. Excellent!

RESULTS

Band Raw QSOs Valid QSOs QSO Pts Pts/Q Mults
-------------------------------------------------------------------

20 3 3 3 1.00 2
40 1 1 1 1.00 --
80 1 1 1 1.00 1

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals 5 5 5 1.00 3

Final Score = 15 Operating Time = :24

A 'new' personal record exists at KA3DRR and the fun of contesting is setting another. C U in the log and best 73s from the shack...

Inside the NCCC Sprint Grid

Two attributes of contesting are competing against self and other contesters. Currently as a low-power, low-profile contester the competition is moreso against self than other contesters. For example, in the fourth week of the NCCC Sprint, will KA3DRR increase QSO production from 2 to 3? And, can I maintain the current number 3 position in the Western Division? As a competitive personality it is worth noting the current standings within the NCCC Sprint Grid.

Who is in first, second, and third going into week four of ladder competition? The NCCC Sprint Grid is divided into geographical regions and they are 1). East of the Mississippi River, 2). West of the Mississippi and, 3). Northern California Contest Club (NCCC). The NCCC comprises sprint operators in California and Nevada, respectively.

One notes less than 100-points separating N4AF and N9CK going into week 3 with K4BAI trailing not far behind. Will AF maintain the lead going into week three?

Top Three East of the Mississippi Week 2 of 2
1. N4AF, 936 points, average 857.5
2. N9CK, 864 points, average 812
3. K4BAI, 800 points, average 751.5

Top Three West of the Mississippi Week 2 of 2
1. W0BH, 726 points, average 600.5
2. W7OM, 260 points, average 331.5
3. KA3DRR, 1 point, average 2.5

NCCC in CA/NV Week 2 of 2
1. N6RO, 1,125 points, average 1034
2. K6VVA, 684 points, average 659
3. W0YK, 756 points, average 625.5

Division Leaders Week 2 of 2
1. N6RO, NCCC CA/NV, 1043 average
2. N4AF, East, 857.5 average
3. W0BH, West, 600.5 average

(Note: Division ranking is based on consecutive score submissions)

The Western Division is off to a sketchy start behind the East and NCCC. Can W0BH and W7OM move the rotator and catch up to the electromagnetic heels of AF, CK, and K4BAI? Sprint week number 3 posting will determine if there is enough RF in the paddles of W0BH or W7OM. And the question begs; who will topple KA3DRR from third position in the Western Division?

An HF battle for number 2 and 3 position is heating up the capacitors in the NCCC CA/NV division. WOYK is a little more than a quarter wavelength behind K6VVA. We will find out if YK's photon powered sprint shoes were enough to overtake VVA for second position.

The sprint leader and by far out in front of the pack is N6RO. Will RO maintain the leader position both overall and in the NCCC CA/NV division? Or will N4AF neutralize RO and take the top slot?

Stay tuned as Thursday Night Madness continues propagating fun RF and the question is who will catch and take the lead from N6RO?

Reference:
Northern California Contest Club (2007). NS Results Retrieved on April 3, 2007 from http://www.ncccsprint.com/results.htm.