[Fists] Signing /QRP (was FISTS Sprint)

[KENNETH ROBERT MCGUIRE]

On Sun, 12 May 2002, K=D8HB wrote:

> Sometimes it strikes me that signing "/QRP" is sort of a plea for "specia=
l
> consideration because my signal is so weak".
>=20
> I'm not a full time QRPer, but I do run QRP about 75% of the time, and
> specifically do NOT sign _QRP_ because I want to know how well I can
> do without calling attention to my power level.
>=20
> I wonder if others don't also react the same?

I often run /qrp.  In most contests, I don't tell anyone until I turn in
my log or include it on QSL's.  I admit that I will "cheat" a bit - if I
am in a pile up and the station asks for the /qrp station, I will send
KC8LTL/QRP then, even if I hadn't been signing that way all day.

I see value in calling CQ with the /qrp - it lets the other station know
that even if I am not banging in there that there is a good chance that I
will hear them and be easy to work, but for S&P, my call sign is already
more than long enough without the /qrp.  For CQ-M last night I had to, and
I hated hearing my keyer going forever when I sent my call...  I also
didn't enjoy my long call for my first ARRL DX CW in 2000 when I was
KC8LTL/AA on a cheap MFJ straight key...

Ken McGuire, KC8LTL
FISTS #6919
at902@tcnet.org