[HCRA] New England QSO Party this weekend!

[Jim Mullen]

Forward from Tom/K1KI...

The New England QSO Party is coming next weekend - May 4-5 - and we' are
always looking for more activity from Massachusetts.

The NEQP is a great way to test your antennas on 80-10 meters and to be the
focus of a lot of activity as stations from around the world look for New
England stations.

*Plus, it's fun!!

*Here is a summary of the New England QSO Party rules: *Object:* To contact
as many New England stations (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont) in as many New England counties as
possible on 80-40-20-15-10m. (*New England stations work anyone*)

*Date:* First full weekend of May. (May 4-5 in 2013)

*Contest Period:* 2000Z Saturday until 0500Z Sunday (4pm EDT Saturday until
1am EDT Sunday) and 1300Z Sunday until 2400Z Sunday (9am EDT Sunday until
8pm EDT Sunday).

*Categories:* Single-operator high power, low power(150w or less) and
QRP(5w or less) categories, plus multi-operator, single transmitter. Same
four categories for mobiles. Single-operator stations using assistance
during the contest (packet or Internet spotting nets, etc.) will compete in
the multi-single category.

*Contest Exchange:* Send signal report and state/province (DX stations send
signal report and "DX"). *New England stations send signal report, county
and state*.

*QSO Points:* Count one point per phone QSO, two points per CW (includes
digital modes)QSO.

*Multiplier:* Stations outside of New England use counties as multipliers
for a total of 67 (CT/8 MA/14 ME/16 NH/10 RI/5 VT/14). *New England
stations use states(50)(Count DC as MD), Canadian provinces(14) and DXCC
countries as multipliers.  **Scoring:* Total score is QSO points times the
multiplier. Mobiles count QSO points per county and multipliers from all
counties (counted once).

*Suggested frequencies:* CW - 3540 7035 14040 21040 28040, SSB - 3850 7280
14280 21380 28380.  ** Now that the broadcast stations are mostly out of
7125-7200, try 7180 on 40m SSB.**

*Reporting:* Logs should indicate times in UTC, bands, modes, calls and
required contest exchange. All stations include your club's name in the log
header or summary. Entries must be submitted within 30 days and sent to
NEQP, P.O.Box J,  West Suffield CT 06093 or via e-mail to
logs at neqp.org(Cabrillo format preferred).

*Awards:* Certificates will be awarded to the top scorers (25 QSO minimum)
in each New England county, U.S. state, Canadian province and DXCC country.
A number of special plaques will also be awarded to top scorers. Additional
details can be found on the NEQP web site at http://www.neqp.org

See if you can have a competition within your club for the top scorer.
Several clubs are challenging each other for the best club score.

We're especially looking for mobile stations to put the rarest counties on
the air.

*If you think you might be on for at least a short time in the NEQP, let us
know with a brief message to us at info at neqp.org

*Thanks!

                -- Tom/K1KI for the NEQP Committee

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New England QSO Party - http://www.neqp.org - May 4-5, 2013