Personally the limiting environmental factor this time of year is freezing rain. It can make driving and hiking next to impossible and operating quite difficult. … But that can happen here any time fron mid-October to mid-December so probably not a consideration for the timing of the Fall event. On the other hand one of the frequent VE2 operators has hung up his trekking poles for the winter. Perhaps an earlier date would encourage him to participate next year
There are a lot of considerations, adverse weather, propagation, hours of daylight. This time of year hunting season keeps me off some trails. I think Gerald, Ed, and Barry have done a great job choosing the timing so far.
I really enjoy these S2S events, please let’s continue them - at least until trans-atlantic S2S becomes commonplace.
I originally voted to have the Spring event on the same day as QRPTTF. I have changed my mind as I now realize that my goals are different for the two events. For example, I would like to run higher power for the S2S event and maybe a more directional antenna. So I would like the Spring event moved away from QRPTTF.
I am in this category. I worked Friday and was back in at work Sunday, so I had to push myself to get out for Saturday’s event. If there had been another S2S event next weekend, I probably would have given this one a miss. I don’t know what event frequency hits the sweet spot either.
I am in the work Monday to Friday camp and my vote is to continue to hold the events on weekends or holidays.
Some of the visitors were a pleasure to talk with. I haven’t had such issues in the past but in the future I will be trying to avoid “the madding crowds”.
I’ll second that but why stop when transatlantic S2S becomes commonplace (if ever!) the events with widespread high levels of activator participation will always have a special “buzz” about them - twice a year per event is just right to balance novelty and opportunity
Over a pint in one of the local hostelries this evening, I discussed some of the questions raised so far with Paul G4MD. The following proposal came into my mind - three S2S events for 2019 as follows:
I like the summer event but would vote to move the Spring event a couple of weeks later and the Autumn event a couple of weeks earlier due to weather concerns in the NE USA/Canada. It’s likely that the road to my usual summit will still be unpassable in late March.
I agree on Geralds proposal. In March there will be snow but the sun is warming in July we have plenty of daylight and in November we will not freeze our buts off.
Hmm, not many opinion so far, but we have plenty of time to resolve dates for 2019.
I wonder whether there are alternative summits without late autumn / winter / early spring access issues. Maybe even it involves a little more travel? Besides, I would like to work you on a different summit.
I agree with Barry, most of our summits here in VE3 are not accessible until sometime in April and by November weather concerns are a pretty big concern, especially the freezing rain we get around then.
We had some offline discussion today - I suggested April 20 for the spring NA-EU S2S but Gerald G4OIG has some concerns and is still considering the options.
(fyi, April 20 is also the day for QRP to the Field 2019)
Hmm, you can’t trust people can you? Personally I am not convinced that we need the Trans-Atlantic event to be concurrent with the QRPTTF, but that’s the opinion from this side of the pond. If the S2S event is held on the same day as QRPTTF it will certainly add to the QSO total for North American activators, but it won’t have an effect over here in Europe. I think we stick with what has been decided to avoid any confusion at this late stage.
April 20th is Easter Saturday is it not? People may have family commitments limiting their involvement.
April 27th is the day before the Blackpool Radio Rally (Hamfest) in the UK. A significant number of UK activators make their way to Blackpool for the weekend, so there could be plenty of travelers breaking their journeys with a nice S2S frenzy.
