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Author Topic: Sleep deprivation and contesting  (Read 240 times)

SM0JHF

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  • Posts: 14
Sleep deprivation and contesting
« on: November 07, 2022, 03:17:48 AM »

I started taking part in radio contests some 60 years ago. Never understood how so many people manage to stay awake for more than 24 hours and roll 200 contest exchanges per hour. After 24 hours, while still fit and young, I experienced sensations described by the CDC:

"According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Governmental authority
, 24-hour sleep deprivation is the same as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10 percent. That’s higher than the limit to legally drive.
Staying awake for 24 hours may cause symptoms like:
drowsiness
irritability
anger
increased risk of stress
decreased alertness
impaired concentration
brain fog
fatigue
tremors
reduced coordination
increased risk of mistakes or accidents
food cravings
puffy eyes
dark undereye circles"

I have met many habitual contesters and never heard any complaints from them. Are they some kind of robo-ops?
It would be interesting to hear some comments from those who have just concluded a 24-hour session in Sweepstakes.

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K1KP

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Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #1 on: November 07, 2022, 03:35:45 AM »

For a great article on how to manage sleep deprivation in contests, see:

https://k5zd.com/articles/a-sleep-strategy-for-dx-contesting/


Quote
Are they some kind of robo-ops?

The correct term is 'mutants'....

-Tony, K1KP

p.s. one great thing about ham radio is they don't give out OUIs...
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DL9BDM

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    • abt. DL9BDM
Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #2 on: November 07, 2022, 04:34:48 AM »

HAM Radio - the best way to grow old while staying young ;-)
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K7JQ

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  • Posts: 2602
Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #3 on: November 07, 2022, 06:10:26 AM »


Staying awake for 24 hours may cause symptoms like:
drowsiness
irritability
anger
increased risk of stress
decreased alertness
impaired concentration
brain fog
fatigue
tremors
reduced coordination
increased risk of mistakes or accidents
food cravings
puffy eyes
dark undereye circles"


At almost 77, I’m like that even when I get plenty of sleep  ;D ;D.

I used to be able to go 30-35 hours in a contest. Not anymore. Maybe 20 hours now…can’t keep BIC (Butt In Chair).
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SWMAN

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Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #4 on: November 07, 2022, 06:23:25 AM »

 I can’t stay up later than 2 or 3am. I feel like I’m going to pass out if I do go past 3am.
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KF4HR

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  • Posts: 223
Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #5 on: November 07, 2022, 08:08:30 AM »

All that effort and after ill effects, just for a score.  No doubt many see that as funny.
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N2SR

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Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #6 on: November 07, 2022, 08:33:30 AM »

And the medical industry requires newly minted doctors go with little or no sleep similar periods of time, all in the name of "being a doctor."
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Elect a clown.  Expect a circus.

K7JQ

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  • Posts: 2602
Re: Sleep deprivation and contesting
« Reply #7 on: November 07, 2022, 09:18:59 AM »

And the medical industry requires newly minted doctors go with little or no sleep similar periods of time, all in the name of "being a doctor."

Two things I ask a doctor before an *invasive* procedure:
1. Have you ever done this before?
2. When's the last time you slept?
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