Doing this allowed only those stations that our radio actually heard to be listed in our spotting network. We then fed the results of the Skimmer program into N1MM logger as the DX spotting cluster instead of using Telnet. Therefore, we were running CW Skimmer (a program that decodes call signs over the entire band that the Flex Radio has open). We are allowed to use a spotting network and CW skimmer assistance in the Sweepstakes contest. Our contest station consisted of a Flex Radio 6500, and we used N1MM contest logging software. Us: W1AW 123 M N4FR 00 TN (We answered their call, gave a sequential S/N, then our precedence, then our call, our check, then finally our ARRL section. Us: CQ CQ N4FR SS (This means CQ CQ N4FR SweepStakes) The year of licensing of N4FR was 2000, so our check number was “00”. We were operating as a multi-op, single radio, low power (under 150 Watts) station, so our precedence was M. It consists of an incremental serial number, then the precedence (Q,A,B,U,M, or S), then your own call (in our case N4FR), then a check number (the year of first licensing of your call), then finally the ARRL/RAC Section. The exchange is not your typical 599 exchange. It has its roots in message handling protocols, and as such, it has the most difficult of all contest exchanges. Sweepstakes is the oldest domestic radiosport event, with the first contest held in 1930. We were able to score #1 in the Delta division Multi-Op Low Power category, and win a plaque sponsored by Icom America. The N4FR CW contest team consisting of AD4CJ, K3IE, N4CCB, KB9DKR, and KJ4YAY were the crew manning the station at the QTH of Tim, AD4CJ. The results of the 2019 ARRL Sweepstakes CW contest are in. Full results are in the May, 2020 issue of QST on pages 72 and 73. Hunter is also the Tennessee Contest Group president. Operator in the pictures is Hunter Mills, K3IE. Thanks to Tim, AD4CJ for this post and Cliff, N4CCB for the photos.

Cw skimmer serial number