[FQP] FQP

[Ron Wetjen]

Norm Gertz wrote:

 > I would also vote for adding 80M to the lineup.  It would have been
 > very effective on Saturday evening.

We had 80M the first year ... but had very little, if any, activity. 
Not sure how much of a signal, a mobile can generate on 80/75 (have a 
pretty tough time from my home station!).

Also, keep in mind, it's also still daylight (7PM) on the West Coast 
when we finish on Saturday ... so very little chance of them working us 
on 80.  I'm sure they would take issue about not having a chance at 
those extra QSO's that the East Coast gets.

We also don't want a "Florida works Florida" contest, which is why 
Florida stations don't get "county multipliers" for other Florida 
stations.

 > towards dusk the rtty and foreign ssb stations wreaked havoc on 40M.

The RTTY contest came on the scene AFTER the FQP ... so for several 
years, 40 worked well.

When we set up the FQP rules 8 years ago, we carefully considered ALL 
options ... and think we came up with a pretty good compromise that's 
fair and equal for everyone (of course, we can't control propagation).

Our main goal was to have a "fun" event without being too complicated 
... so that everyday folks could get on for a few hours, get some 
exposure to contesting, and have a good time in the process.

We know we did it right (or pretty darn close) ... because several other 
QSO Parties were ... shall we say, "revived" after our success ... and 
used OUR rules as a guideline!

More proof?  How about the amount of activity we generate over the 
weekend ... a state QSO party that sounds like a "major" contest ... 
unreal!

You know you've hit the "big time", when guys intentionally QRM you and 
you tick off the "regulars" ... you know, the ones who have been having 
their weekly ragchew on the same frequency for 20 years, blah, blah, 
blah ... and they get all bothered if anyone comes within 5kc of them - 
@#%$ contesters!

Want to make the FQP even better?  We need to work at getting more folks 
on the air.  Talk to your friends and get them on.  Go to your local 
clubs and help promote the FQP next year!  Give a presentation at a 
meeting or local Hamfest about the FQP.  Where are all the hams with HF 
privileges who don't like CW?  Why can't they be talked into getting on? 
  We sure could use a LOT more home stations on the air ... especially 
on SSB.    Do like others do ... offer up your station to teach these 
new folks about contesting ... they might even get hooked!

Ron

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