Even Without WP3R, Top Single Operator Sweepstakes SSB Score Still From Carribean as KP2TM (K9TM) Tops High Power Class

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted November 24, 2008

Even with WP3R off the air after a ten year run of victories by Rich Boyd KE3Q, the top single operator claimed score in the 2008 ARRL November Sweepstakes SSB contest is still from the Carribean, as Tim Mitchell KP2TM/K9TM owns the lead with 362,560 points.

"I felt good going into this year," said Mitchell, "The B class is very competitive and it takes 24 perfect hours to do it."

Mitchell rattled off 2,266 QSO's from the US Virgin Islands, though he still had to battle the lackluster conditions that have bedeviled contesters for several years now.

"Unfortunately at this time 15m and 20m die fairly close together and early from KP2, so 20m becomes a very short time transition band," Mitchell said.

"I feel pretty good about 22 of the 24 hours. It's not easy no matter where you operate from."

Mitchell came close to having the highest overall claimed score so far, but for now, that stays with Team W6YI, which leads the multi-op category with a score of 363,200, more than 50k ahead of their final score from 2007.

"There were more stations on to work this year," said Jim Stevenson W6YI. "There were both new contesters and non contesters who called and exchanged information. A good 15 meter opening was an added benefit."

Stevenson also said antenna improvements at his station north of San Diego made a difference on 20 and 75 meters.

"It was much easier getting runs going on both bands now that we are louder and have increased directional capabilities," Stevenson added, saluting K6AM, N6KI and N6MJ for their SS operations at his QTH since 2005.

"We all know each others styles, weaknesses and strengths, so we work very well together."

In second in the Multi category behind W6YI is Team K5NA with 349,600.

"We knew that W6YI would be our main competition," said Richard King K5NA on 3830. "We certainly gave it our best shot."

Back in the single operator ranks, KP2TM has a lead of 11,200 points on his nearest rival Dan Handa W7WA, who chalked up 2,200 contacts for 352,000 points.

"This is my best claimed score in phone sweepstakes in longer than I can remember," Handa wrote in his 3830.

In third place with 351,360 points is Bill Kollenbaum K4XS, who muscled KH7XS into the Top Ten in his first try at SS SSB from Hawaii.

Fourth belongs to George De Montrond NR5M with 346,400 points with Bruce Draper AA5B rounding out the top five claimed scores with 341,920 points from N2IC's station in New Mexico.

"Seeing K7RL's and W7WA's comments makes me realize I should've bitten the bullet and stayed on 20 more," Draper said after the contest.

Draper's move to high power means that there will be a new winner as well this year in the low power category.

Right now the claimed score leader is Brad Wallingford K7ZSD with 1404 QSO's and 221,832 points.

"My goal was to better my score posted last year when I placed 6th," Wallingford told radio-sport.net.

"I did well every time I could hold a frequency and run. This was especially true on 20m," he added. "Next year if I run low power I will change frequency as many times as necessary to find a less crowded spot and run."

"I didn’t think I would place first, I still don’t, there are a few top LP scores yet to reported. Next year I’ll go for the top spot," he added.

One of those unreported scores is that of John Bayne KK9A, who operated W4AAA to more contacts. He finished third last year.

Over in the Unlimited category, Mitch Mason K7RL may be on his way to a repeat victory, as he hammered out 2,186 contacts for 349,760 points, a new personal best.

"If you would have told me 2,186 Qs was possible from the Northwest with a SFI of 68, and no 10 meters, I would have reminded you that Camano Island is not near Dallas!" Mason told radio-sport.net.

"I was surprised the activity level was so high all weekend. Typically, the Sunday doldrums kick-in and the rate drops like a stone because you run out of new stations to work," said Mason.

"Not this year. The rate was constant and steady with a fresh wave of new stations every hour."

While Mason has a commanding claimed score lead for now in Unlimited, the defending QRP champ may also be in line for a repeat victory, as Al Sinopoli KC5R ran up 707 contacts for just over 113,000 points, a bit more than his final score from 2007.

"Getting the sweep was a little more interesting this year," Sinopoli said to fellow contesters on 80 meters after the contest ended.

Like many others, KP4 was the final mult for Sinopoli, as the absence of a major effort at WP3R left many scanning the bands for Puerto Rico.