<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">In a message dated 11/19/2002 2:40:49 PM Eastern Standard Time, av8tor@flash.net writes:<BR>
<BR>
<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px"></FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=2 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0">I have to agree with Del on this one. When I was heavy into pattern <BR>
1989-1991 I was doing 13 contests per year, all within a 150 mile or less <BR>
radius (D1). Then it seemed that the number of contest started a rapid <BR>
decline and never bounced back.<BR>
<BR>
Now that I live in D3 I was trying to plot how many contest were in a 200 <BR>
mile radius this year and could only come up with 2 (Ocala, FL &<BR>
Jacksonville, FL). I've considered moving to the Virginia Beach area (D2), <BR>
is pattern on the UpSwing there? I guess I just live in the wrong area of <BR>
Florida.<BR>
<BR>
George</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
</FONT><FONT COLOR="#000000" style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #ffffff" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SANSSERIF" FACE="Arial" LANG="0"><BR>
You forgot the one in Melbourne in October<BR>
<BR>
Regardless, even in the Northern Fla areas, you still will need to drive more than 200 miles to attend more than a couple contests. Pensacola area is closer to 75% of the D3 contests, but your average drive will still be 6 hours, give or take. <BR>
To belabor the obvious a little, the Southeast is not like the Northeast where in 4 hours you could traverse 5 states.<BR>
<BR>
I told you about the Ocala and Jax contests last year, via direct email, and you did not make either. I am again inviting you to attend Ocala in late February, Jacksonville in September, and Melbourne in October. Also, you will have a new contest in Lakeland this coming season, third weekend in May. <BR>
<BR>
Matt Kebabjian<BR>
District 3 VP</FONT></HTML>