1. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Sweepstakes 2008: “Third time’s a charm” – the winning approach By Jim Nitzberg, WX3B (Technical Help from Ty Stewart, K3MM)

2. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Sweepstakes Scores Historical Perspective 2004: PVRC Was #3, by WIDE Margin 2004: PVRC Was #3, by WIDE Margin 2005: PVRC Edges out SMC for #2 position, NCCC score way down 2005: PVRC Edges out SMC for #2 position, NCCC score way down 2006: Need I say more? Almost a “tie” 2006: Need I say more? Almost a “tie” 2007: Margin of loss 1.1M points 2007: Margin of loss 1.1M points

3. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Sweepstakes Scores Where are the 1.1M points? NCCC: 273 logs, PVRC: 241 logs NCCC: 273 logs, PVRC: 241 logs Need 32 x 40,000 point logs to win Need 32 x 40,000 point logs to win 40,000 point log = 275 QSOs/75 multipliers 40,000 point log = 275 QSOs/75 multipliers Alternatively 6 “big” logs would do I Alternatively 6 “big” logs would do I The club with the most logs: wins The club with the most logs: wins

4. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 The Tactical Plan PVRC Club Strategy Outlined PVRC Club Strategy Outlined Individual Operating Strategies Individual Operating Strategies Station Strategies Station Strategies

5. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 PVRC: Club Strategy Encourage Individuals to set High Goals for themselves Encourage Individuals to set High Goals for themselves Promote Single-Op High Power Operations Promote Single-Op High Power Operations Discourage Multi/Single operations unless there is no other way for folks to operate. Discourage Multi/Single operations unless there is no other way for folks to operate. –Individual operators contribute far more to the score than multi-ops, per operator. –Highly Motivated Operators (HMOs) are the exception Find new members or local clubs to join into the SS fun with PVRC Find new members or local clubs to join into the SS fun with PVRC If you run (U)nlimited or Multi – SPOT EVERYONE, especially other PVRC members. If you run (U)nlimited or Multi – SPOT EVERYONE, especially other PVRC members. Make SURE you turn your log in by the deadline. Make SURE you turn your log in by the deadline.

6. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 What’s an HMO? Highly Motivated Operator, out to improve PVRC’s club score by operating from two locations, with two call signs, during the contest. Highly Motivated Operator, out to improve PVRC’s club score by operating from two locations, with two call signs, during the contest. Advantage: You have good runs both days! Drawback: You sacrifice your own individual score, since you use two call signs. Advantage: You have good runs both days! Drawback: You sacrifice your own individual score, since you use two call signs. PVRC Club Advantage: You generate a larger score for PVRC. PVRC Club Advantage: You generate a larger score for PVRC. Interested? Contact Jim Nitzberg, WX3B for details. Only one call sign can be used for a “transmitter” in SS. Interested? Contact Jim Nitzberg, WX3B for details. Only one call sign can be used for a “transmitter” in SS. Example: WX3B operates as KF3P Saturday from N3HBX and makes 1,000 QSOs x 75 sections. Sunday, WX3B goes back to his own house, makes another 1,000 QSOs by 75 sections. More fun, more activity, and more PVRC Points – all by CQing and running stations. No hunting for stations Sunday! Example: WX3B operates as KF3P Saturday from N3HBX and makes 1,000 QSOs x 75 sections. Sunday, WX3B goes back to his own house, makes another 1,000 QSOs by 75 sections. More fun, more activity, and more PVRC Points – all by CQing and running stations. No hunting for stations Sunday!

7. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Individual Operating Strategies Get Started at the BEGINNING of the contest – Saturday afternoon Get Started at the BEGINNING of the contest – Saturday afternoon Listen to the bands for 30 – 60 minutes BEFORE the contest starts to get an idea of the way propagation is running on each band. Listen to the bands for 30 – 60 minutes BEFORE the contest starts to get an idea of the way propagation is running on each band. Plan to operate until 2:00 – 3:00am Sunday morning on the first day – don’t give up too early! Plan to operate until 2:00 – 3:00am Sunday morning on the first day – don’t give up too early! Save your off time(s) for Sunday afternoon Save your off time(s) for Sunday afternoon Limited time? Low Power? Show UP on Sunday for a good time running stations. Limited time? Low Power? Show UP on Sunday for a good time running stations.

8. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Individual Operating Strategies Make SURE all your equipment works BEFORE the contest: Yes, ALL your equipment. Make SURE all your equipment works BEFORE the contest: Yes, ALL your equipment. Double-check voice keyer, antennas, computers Double-check voice keyer, antennas, computers SS is all about RATE! Keep your rate up and keep your eye on that rate-meter. SS is all about RATE! Keep your rate up and keep your eye on that rate-meter. DO NOT CHASE MULTIPLIERS. They will come to you. DO NOT CHASE MULTIPLIERS. They will come to you. Always call CQ on At Least 1 radio while S&Ping on your second (SO2R operators) Always call CQ on At Least 1 radio while S&Ping on your second (SO2R operators) Be Accurate – do NOT bust the exchange. Don’t be afraid to ask for repeats to get everything correct. Be Accurate – do NOT bust the exchange. Don’t be afraid to ask for repeats to get everything correct.

9. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Individual Operating Strategies Do NOT answer weak stations when rates are good. Do NOT answer weak stations when rates are good. Get to the next HOT (lower) band FAST, mark your spot for 75m SSB! Get to the next HOT (lower) band FAST, mark your spot for 75m SSB! Play to your Station's Strengths. You only get to contact each station once. If you have a good 75m antenna – spend lots of time on 75 meters! Play to your Station's Strengths. You only get to contact each station once. If you have a good 75m antenna – spend lots of time on 75 meters! Operate the contest on your terms, do NOT get psyched out by others with high numbers. They will be seeking YOU out by the end of the contest Operate the contest on your terms, do NOT get psyched out by others with high numbers. They will be seeking YOU out by the end of the contest Work the shortest skip band that supports high rate. This is normally the lowest band, and it keeps the QSO potential on the East Coast. Work the shortest skip band that supports high rate. This is normally the lowest band, and it keeps the QSO potential on the East Coast. Use packet if you wish, but don’t get “stuck” chasing multipliers. If you can’t get a spot on the first call, do NOT waste time in the pileup. Try back again in 10 minutes. Use packet if you wish, but don’t get “stuck” chasing multipliers. If you can’t get a spot on the first call, do NOT waste time in the pileup. Try back again in 10 minutes.

10. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Station Strategies For expected 2008 Conditions Use Low, Efficient antennas. Dipoles and Inverted Vees at 35 – 50 feet make EXCELLENT SS antennas. Use Low, Efficient antennas. Dipoles and Inverted Vees at 35 – 50 feet make EXCELLENT SS antennas. Be aware that your 3 bands are going to be 20/40/80. Don’t be fooled by the 40db/9 signals on 10 & 15. There won’t be many folks to work! Be aware that your 3 bands are going to be 20/40/80. Don’t be fooled by the 40db/9 signals on 10 & 15. There won’t be many folks to work! Use a EWE, Beverage or other RX antenna for 75/80 meters. West and South are important directions. A 300’ Beverage works very well. Use a EWE, Beverage or other RX antenna for 75/80 meters. West and South are important directions. A 300’ Beverage works very well. Be comfortable. Have snacks, drinks at easy reach. Keep aspirin handy. Be comfortable. Have snacks, drinks at easy reach. Keep aspirin handy.

11. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Station Strategies Consider operating SO2R for more fun on Sunday! Consider operating SO2R for more fun on Sunday! Figure out a way to get on 75/80 meters. A majority of your SS QSOs could come from this band. An inverted Vee at 50 feet with 500 watts will generate hundreds of QSOs! Figure out a way to get on 75/80 meters. A majority of your SS QSOs could come from this band. An inverted Vee at 50 feet with 500 watts will generate hundreds of QSOs!

12. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 PVRC’s historical ramblings The club with the most operators…WINS sweepstakes The club with the most operators…WINS sweepstakes This means the casual operator, not the die-hard contester, determines PVRC’s success. This means the casual operator, not the die-hard contester, determines PVRC’s success. If we get enough folks to get on and make 500 QSOs, we win! If we get enough folks to get on and make 500 QSOs, we win!

13. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Getting the word out PVRC chapter leaders making contacts within their local chapters soliciting participation (September/October) PVRC chapter leaders making contacts within their local chapters soliciting participation (September/October) PVRC “chosen” emailers dividing up Central and Northwest regions PVRC “chosen” emailers dividing up Central and Northwest regions All hands on deck approach/attitude All hands on deck approach/attitude

14. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Not Operating? You can STILL HELP! How about lending out your station to a guest operator? How about lending out your station to a guest operator? Assist other PVRCers with antenna and equipment “parties” Assist other PVRCers with antenna and equipment “parties” Be a dedicated spotter and…get on the air and SPOT EVERYONE. This makes the game better for all of us. Be a dedicated spotter and…get on the air and SPOT EVERYONE. This makes the game better for all of us. Kudos to NCCC for doing this in 2006…and 2007

15. June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016 Send In Your Log You laugh, but individuals forget to do this! You laugh, but individuals forget to do this! Make SURE you mark your log for Potomac Valley Radio Club. Make SURE you mark your log for Potomac Valley Radio Club. Send it in by the deadline Send it in by the deadline Save a copy of the ARRL’s robot receipt Save a copy of the ARRL’s robot receipt

16. Fall, 2008 Propagation What we can expect 10m & 15m good if you’re out west, in mid-west. No density of folks to work if you’re…here. 10m & 15m good if you’re out west, in mid-west. No density of folks to work if you’re…here. 20m & 40m to be your daylight money bands 20m & 40m to be your daylight money bands 40m & 80m to be your evening/late night money bands 40m & 80m to be your evening/late night money bands 80m may be “long” again this year 80m may be “long” again this year June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

17. Operating Schedule Full Timers Start on 20, move to 40, or just move right to 80 when the rate drops Start on 20, move to 40, or just move right to 80 when the rate drops Stay on 80 until you have over 1,000 QSOs! Stay on 80 until you have over 1,000 QSOs! If the rate drops, take a break at about 3:00am, but be ready to resume by 6:00am – 7:00am Sunday If the rate drops, take a break at about 3:00am, but be ready to resume by 6:00am – 7:00am Sunday June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

18. Operating Schedule for part time operators Sunday is likely to be your most interesting day. People will flock to YOU for QSOs Sunday is likely to be your most interesting day. People will flock to YOU for QSOs 40m & 75m will be great evening bands. 40m & 75m will be great evening bands. Any time you get on is better than NOT getting on Any time you get on is better than NOT getting on June 1, 2016June 1, 2016June 1, 2016

19. Go PVRC!