Is the current contesting model a good fit for Level 4 (L4) low-power, low-profile RadioSport contesters?
The model, for me is different for example, Level 1 (L1) station running above 250-watts to legal limit into stacked monobanders at 100 or more feet is much like a blue-chip stock. An L4 station like mine relies on L1 blue-chip station to fill my log.
The same is said for Level 2 (L2) stations running above 100-watts but less than the legal limit using tri-bander antennas. A Level 3 (L3) station runs QRP to less than 100-watts into optimally sized wire antennas supported at optimized heights.
RadioSport Level(s).
- L1 stations operate above 250-watts to legal limit into stacked monobanders at 100 or more feet. Think L1 as blue-chip stocks.
- L2 stations operate QRP or 100-watts to less than legal limit using tri-bander antennas. L2 as a performing mutual fund returning dividends and/or capital gains.
- L3 stations operate from QRP or 100-watts to legal limit into optimually sized wire antennas at optimized heights. L3 as a fixed bond with a good interest yield.
- L4 stations operate from QRP to less than 100-watts into less than optimal wire antennas at sub-optimal heights. An L4 is much like a penny stock.
RadioSport As A Global Market Space? I'm an L4 station competing in the national market space called Sweepstakes. A finite number of stations will be available at any given moment on any given band. The value of one's QSO is calculated as [
2 points for each complete QSO x the number of ARRL/RAC sections].
The early gainers in Sweepstakes are L1/L2 stations. The Sweepstakes market space tilts in the direction of L1/L2 in the early hours of QSO trading.
The value of my L4 QSO or penny stock increases as a result of time and consumption. Additionally, L1/L2 priorities shift later in Sweepstakes into the need category. That is, these stations need L3/L4s after the consumption of L1/L2s.
Is calling CQ early in Sweepstakes a good fit for the market space as an L4? My strategy?
Work L1/L2 stations using search and pounce (SP) technique. I'm going to add multipliers first then call CQ later in the session. Remember I'm running 50-watts into a less than optimal antenna at sub-optimal height. The RadioSport market space acts differently from my L4 perspective.
In contrast, the Sweepstakes Preparation Guide does suggest volume or calling CQ more times than not over multiplier count (
link). The current model suggests multipliers follow as a result of calling CQ which is true for L1/L2 type stations.
Market Space (Station, Band, & Geography). Have you read PVRC Sweepstakes preparation guide (
link)? The prime directive is, "Know your station strength and market space." My market space suggests the following states such as Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Texas. My market space weakness is the northeastern section of the country.
My station strength is in the value of the QSO. Time is another strength as well. And my station performs on 15-, 40-, and 80m unlike 20 meters. This band eg. 20m reminds me of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) on a bullish day. Additionally, the value of my QSO or penny stock will pay a tiddy return later in the contest as a result of time, score, and rate of L1/L2 consuming each other.
The idea is call CQ in market spaces like 15m and/or 40m later in the contest. However do not be shy on 20m either especially on Sunday. Furthermore, I will operate using Single-Operate 2 VFO (SO2V) allowing me to split either SPing or CQing.
If one is software controlled radio (SCR) using N1MM Contest Logger (
link) then use the SO2V feature. I can easily move up or down the band either SPing for a multiplier or offering my station as a QSO trade by calling CQ.
Strategy. - SP early in Sweepstakes for example 15m or consider heavily congested NYSE 20m mid-afternoon Saturday.
- Call CQ more times than not on Sunday.
- Operate SO2V.
- Operate 12-consecutive hours and 24-hours total.
- Watch maximum usable frequency (MUF) chart.
- Target QSO number is 150.
- Target multiplier number is 45 or more.
- If necessary ask for repeat of any item within the exchange.
- Have fun.
Contest on.
High frequency (HF) investors are buoyant as Cycle 24, sunspot 1007 injects needed capital before Sweepstakes the 75th. The extended Cycle 23 bear market space seems to be concluding and I'm bullish on Cycle 24.
