[Elecraft] Elecraft Digest, Vol 73, Issue 15 - message 7 - using /QRP in contests

[JONES, George]

This triggered the recollection that "/QRP" as a call sign suffix
is illegal (ie contrary to license conditions)  in UK - certainly clubs
like GQRP & FISTS UK pe remind us of that from time to time,

Regards

George - G4TPV

   

------------------------------

Message: 7
Date: Thu, 13 May 2010 11:28:15 -0400
From: Guy Olinger K2AV <olinger at bellsouth.net>
Subject: [Elecraft] Using /QRP in CW contests
To: Elecraft Reflector <elecraft at mailman.qth.net>
Message-ID:
	<AANLkTinXeYuNMkNXhsd7Bz4ZJ21lXn4BlsL3x6p89bis at mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Since we have so many QRPers on this reflector...

Each to his own in how they want to identify themselves in casual
operation.  But if you use /QRP on the end of your call in a CW
contest you place yourself at an immediate disadvantage beyond your
choice of power levels.

If you are going to call running stations, please don't put /QRP in
your logger's call sign field.  Stick it in your CQ string if you put
it anywhere.  Even though I've made over 2000 40m Q's multiple times
in ARRL and CQ DX tests, and you can't do that if you don't copy 90%
of calls right the first time, I rarely can copy a call sign in the
form <prefix>/<callsign> correctly the first time, even if it is loud.
 My mind is simply NOT EXPECTING it.  I do better with the trailing
form <callsign>/xxx *IF* and only if I cleanly copied the callsign
before the / .  If the signal is in the noise, and I don't have the
front of the call, /QRP is just confusion.

Further, the longer calls are, the harder to copy.  Worse, often a
weak station will be copyable ONLY on the VERY TOP of QSB peaks,
lasting only for a few letters.  Anything you send that isn't your
call sign hurts your chances -- adding spurious P,Q,R to the letter
soup I am trying to construct a call from does NOT help.  And if I
hear a / in there you can bet I'm trying to construct a leading extra
prefix that doesn't exist.  Thank you for your assistance...

EVERY contest there are a few stations where the ONLY part of the
callsign string I got cleanly was "/QRP", and they did NOT go into the
log. I can't send them an email to explain how they hurt themselves
because I don't know who they were....  The only thing I know is that
"/QRP" is part of the reason I didn't copy them.

BTW, note that I do NOT consider QRPers a nuisance to be put up with
in contests, quite the opposite.  I really try hard for the weak
signals.  Those are the ones I work that maybe nobody else can, and
that is score differential.  So bring 'em all on.  Please just don't
send /QRP after your call.

Tell your QRP friends.

73, Guy.




This e-mail and any attachment may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you have received this e-mail and/or attachment in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the e-mail and any attachment from your system. If you are not the intended recipient you must not copy, distribute, disclose or use the contents of the e-mail or any attachment. 
All e-mail sent to or from this address may be accessed by someone other than the recipient for system management and security reasons or for other lawful purposes. 
Airbus Operations Limited does not accept liability for any damage or loss which may be caused by software viruses. 
Airbus Operations Limited is registered in England and Wales under company number 3468788. The company's registered office is at New Filton House, Filton, Bristol, BS99 7AR.