[ILQSO] Rule Changes

[Mike McCabe]

I think the IQP is a great program in need of very little "tweaking". I
agree with Chuck KI9A when he said:

"But, it is time to take another look at the rules. The 8/co rule is nice
for out of state stations, that is a legit, nice mult for them. Keep it for
out of state.
Portable & mobile county lines...I like it! It is exciting to have one of
these folks call in! Keep it....
We don't need to "mimic" other state QSO parties."


I can't speak for the mobile guys as I have never been one of them, but I
did my first "county line portable" operation this year and they are a LOT
OF WORK to do it right. Don't misunderstand, I had fun, and may well do it
again next year, but it was still a fair bit of work to set up and tear
down, as opposed to walking into my warm, dry, commercially powered ham
shack at 12:55pm and flipping the switch. Then walk out at 9:15pm, put on my
PJs and go to bed (I got to bed this year well past midnight). Again, it is
not a complaint, I did it voluntarily, however, I did do it and I feel that
the three county corner rule arraignment is some compensation for the
effort.

Additionally, if not for the 3/4 county operations many counties would see
no or little activity. I think the county line portable operations add to
the mix a bit of randomness, excitement, unpredictability. Hitting a 4
county station is like pulling the handle on a slot machine and having the
bell start ringing.

I understand why the county hunter guys do what they do, but I don't feel
compelled to follow their rigid rules at the expense of the fun and
excitement of the game.

I don't have a vote, but if I did I would say leave the County Line
Portable, 100 yards, no wet lines, rules alone.

As for logging it took me about 30 minutes to import the log from TR log to
Excel sort it print it fill out the form and address the envelope.
Considering I spent 8 hours operating 30 minutes worth of paperwork was not
that big of an inconvenience. As for "soft logs" if RAMS wants paper and are
willing to sift through it, fine by me. It works out to about 50 Qs per
page. Even for N9JF's year 2000, half million point super effort, it should
have only take 30 pages to print it and I think most people would be able to
get it to fit on 6 or 8 pages.

It was fun.


73,


Mike McCabe N9GXW