Sweepstakes Preparation Guide

• Know your station:

- What band am I strongest on ?

- What geographical area am I strongest into ?

- Can I do best on 40M or 80M at night ?

• TRY:

  - S&P at the start

  - Have a CQ machine & PC logging

  - CQ on Sunday- even if you are QRP.

  - Keep trying to generate runs – be sensitive to the results

  - Move to 40M or 80M A.S.A.P but, also, maintain sensitivity to band condx

  - Less worry about mults- more worry about volume- ALWAYS watch the rates ! If you have volume, mults will follow.

  - Use a 2^nd radio, if only to monitor a second band. Typically you can listen on a lower band whilst tx on a higher w/o interference.

  - STAY IN THE CHAIR

  - Avoid excessive stimulants- esp beforehand

  - Get moderate exercise in weeks before the contest

  - A good nights sleep before SS or a nap beforehand will pay dividends

  - Notify your family BEFOREHAND

  - Make some improvement to your station - even if small

  - Get in the NCCC practice the week before SS to check your equipment and software out !!!

  - Attend PVRC meetings beforehand. Guaranteed to get the juices running

• Off-times

  - Important to stay in the chair until at least 3AM

  - Possibly nap during one of NFL afternoon slots

  - Try to have enuf remaining time to make a portion of Sunday night

  - CAREFULLY track your off-time