SS has always been my favorite contest, especially the CW weekend. Didn't do it this year, but I did listen a little bit on Saturday night. And heard what REALLY makes not just my butt but all of me, especially heart-and-soul wise.

Here, where I hardly ever hear anything 'cuz of local condx, I heard lots of CW activity on 80 and 40. Same thing last year. I listened in the car late Saturday night and heard stations from all parts of the country....6's and 7's were prevalent, as were, really, all call areas. On a non-contest night I typically hear a scant handful of QSO's going on.

It breaks my heart how hams just don't get on the air to get to know new people and yak with them about radio or any other subject that comes up. Back in the day an evening of operating would result in at least one new friend and several entries in the log.
But offer hams a chance to Be Famous! Get Your Call in QST! Maybe WIN!!!!!! AND....you don't even have to say anything meaningful to the other station. Heck, you don't even have to say your name....just the same routine exchange over and over. Maybe why my interest in SS far exceeds other contests -- there's information in the exchange. Approx. location from the section, how much power is being run, and the year first licensed. Guess that's an anathema to the "59 [followed by your state]" crowd.

Question....what do people who bitch and whine about contests do when they get on the air? IMHO...it'd be more reasonable to whine and bitch about how the bands can sound like ghost towns at times.