[Elecraft] EQP comments solicited

[Bob Patten]

k6iii@juno.com wrote:
> 
> I've seen some comments about separate SSB and CW weekends. 
I think that would be a good idea.  I tried CQing a bit on 15 & 10 SSB 
(besides the couple of QSY's with you), but couldn't scare up any other 
EQPers.  The SSB time period, if a separate party, should be shorter due 
to probable less participation.  Perhaps a four hour "sprint"?
I think QRP operators (which includes "most" Elecrafters) are inherently 
CW operators.  That would be the reason the QRP ARCI parties and the SOC 
Marathon Sprint (which was also on this weekend) are CW only.
> 
> I managed to work 9 FT's. There may have been more but they seemed to be
> mostly missing. Perhaps we did not do a good enough job of urging these
> FT's to get on the air. Or it could just be that FT's are not operators
I was pleased with my total of ten FT's.  But you should allow the bonus 
for each band each one is contacted on.  For example, work N6KR on four 
bands, claim 20 bonus points.

I would also strongly urge the addition of an SPC multiplier.  The fun 
for me in an event like this is seeing how many SPC's I can work per 
band, and watching the "score" (I know, this was not a contest!) grow.
> 
> Did we get the start/stop times right? Is the 24-hour format OK, or would
> you have preferred a 12-hour period?
I liked the time period.  In 24 hours, all time zones get a taste of 
their best propagation.  I was surprised at all the chatter about a 
separate UK EQP Party.  I worked plenty of EU on four bands, 10/15/20/40.
 >
> I logged onto a telnet node but found very few others there. Virtually no
> spots were made on the N7TR telnet node other than the few I personally
> made. Was this idea a bust? Why?
Not at all surprised it was a bust.  There is just not enough general 
interest in an event like this to worry about spots.

-- 
73,     Bob Patten, N4BP (aka W0SOC)    Plantation, FL

E-Mail: n4bp@arrl.net                   Website: http://www.qsl.net/n4bp
QRP ARCI #3412    SOC #1    ARS #799    Whiners #6   FISTS #7871