03/18/2002 | N8CPA This is a great forum for soapbox! I started participating in CWSS in 1995, in an effort to overcome the paddle-fright which possessed me during the previous Field Day. It was my first attempt at S.O. contesting in 14 years of hamming. The experience was epiphaneal. I discovered Sweepstakes was a "crack" ARRL event -- one time and I was instantly hooked. Every year since, I make only one plan for that first weekend of November. And every year I try harder, and score higher. And though, on some bands, touch lamps in my house may dance with each new section, I have yet to make the clean sweep. After seven such weekends, I still ask: "Where's my clean sweep mug?" In 2001, it was not in the U.S. so it must have been in MAR, NWT, or QC. So, I look forward to the next CWSS, planning to try harder, score higher, and finally run that broom to the top of my tower.
I thank all who participated--amateur radio contesting is the only sport where competitors are also allies.


-- N8CPA