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EUROPE GETS READY TO SPRINT AS CT1ILT AIMS FOR REPEAT SSB WIN
By Jamie Dupree NS3T
Top contesters in Europe will change their stride a bit over the next two weekends, as they bounce their way around the bands in the Fall EU HF Sprint Contests.
First up is the SSB version, as defending champ Filipe Lopes CT1ILT will try to repeat his October 2006 SSB victory.
"You bet! I am always trying to beat or defend records," said the Portuguese contester, who also finished third in the 2006 Autumn CW Sprint, which was won by DL6RAI.
Lopes says he will be trying to fine tune his effort even more this year by going with two radios for the first time.
"I never tried SO2R, but for this Autumn's Sprints, I will," said Lopes.
The EU Sprints will again start an hour later than in past years, a time shift that took effect earlier this year, an effort to try and ease the disadvantage on 80 meters for stations in Western Europe.
"The problem we had was that at the end of the contest, it was 8pm local time in Western Europe and stations in places like GM were still in full daylight," said David Lawley G4BUO. "We think the shift in start time has helped a little."
Lopes admits he tries to take advantage of that daylight from his QTH.
"The only advantage I really see is the fact that I can work some 001's from the US on 20 meters when some other Europeans can't hear them," said Lopes.
Both CT1ILT and G4BUO agree on one thing, the best place for the Sprint may be the Baltics.
"The EU Sprints are fairly wide open," says Lawley, who finished second in the 2006 Autumn CW Sprint and third in the 2007 Spring CW Sprint.
"It looks at the moment that ES/LY is a good place to enter from. This could easily shift if we are able to build up the level of activity in the sprints," said Lawley.
G4BUO would still like to see a few more European hams try out the Sprint, which is characterized by its unqiue rules that require constant QSY'ing, not allowing you to just camp out on one frequency and call CQ.
"So far we have not been able to generate quite the same level of interest in Europe (as in North America,) said Lawley. "We need to reach a critical mass of participation so that the activity is as fast and furious as it is in the NA Sprints."
As for contest strategy, is there one for the Sprints?
"Not really," says Lopes CT1ILT. "Always remember, be fast and correct!"