[Elecraft] Contests - EQP etc

[Dave Sergeant]

I did not look at all into EQP this weekend. As in last year's event 
it clashes with the RSGB Commonwealth (BERU) contest which I like to 
support (though understand this is of no interest to those of you in 
the USA!). Well done those who did participate.

Conditions  in BERU were hardly good. I worked a little DX among my 
40 QSOs in the form of VE and 9J2. Heard a few VK/ZL on 7/14/21 but 
was unable to work them with my K2s 5W. A new QRP country in the form 
of 5Z4DZ  on 20m was the best prize (even though he was not in the 
contest and was surprised by the number of G stations calling him). I 
almost worked him on 40 (he got the G3Y of my call) but was a gotaway 
like all the other goodies I heard on that band.

As for sending RST that must be kept. I admit in the major contests I 
set my logging software (EI5DIs Super Duper) to send 599 but find it 
no problem to change the received RST for the few who send me 
something else. In QRP contests I allow myself to modify the sent RST 
as required. And on the subject of exchanges, SPC is sensible for 
USA/VE entrants to send but totally pointless for everybody else. I 
far preferred the old format of CQ160 when you sent RST and serial 
number, nowadays to send 599 G is hardly what I call a QSO!

73 Dave G3YMC

dsergeant@btinternet.com
http://www.btinternet.com/~dsergeant