[ILQSO] Rule changes

[John Geiger]

I figured I would weigh in on the discussion
concerning rules, since I have entered this contest
before in 3 of the 4 categories: Fixed Illinois (when
I lived in Dekalb), Illinois mobile (1999-2000), and
outside Illinois (from Oklahoma 2001-2002, and from
Iowa (1998).  

I think that the present rules work for the most part.
 This is becoming a top notch QSO party, and you want
to avoid too many changes that might serve to kill it.
 THat doesn't mean that some tweaking couldn't improve
it more.  I think that it is right up there with the
PA and WI QSO parties for activity.  I havent worked
the TX recently enough to comment, but I know that the
IL QP blows away many of the other state QSO parties.

I like the 3/4 county QSO rule.  As was stated before,
it encourages activity from counties that might not
otherwise get on the air-this year I only worked Boone
and Saline (and probably others) from county line
portable stations.  In 2000 I was the only active
station from Stark county, as I started the contest at
the Stark/Marshall/Bureau junction.  The extra QSO
points make it worthwhile to seek out these stations,
and also for stations to activate county
intersections.  My opinion is "if it doesn't count for
Marac, or CHC, too bad."  RAMS did not design their
contest to please CHC, and that should not be there
intent.  If you work a station on a 4 county line, get
them to send you 2 QSLs, 1 with 2 of the counties, and
1 with the other 2.  

I also like the 8 QSO/Multiplier rule.  It encourages
passing stations to other bands and modes.  Yes it can
be abused, but if someone wants to violate the intent
of the rules, they will probably find a way no matter
what you do.  One possible alternative would be to
keep the 8 county qso/multiplier for non-Illinois
stations, and take it away for Illinois stations.  In
its place, award Illinois stations 1 extra multiplier
for every 8 QSOs with a state, province, or DXCC
country.  That would encourage Illinois stations to
pass non IL stations to other bands and modes.  I
realize that the Illinois stations will probably not
want to lose the opportunity to get extra mults by
working other illinois stations, but it would
eliminate the possibility of working your local
friends on 160-2 meters for extra mults, unless you
live on the state line.

I had my log figured out within 30 minutes of the end
of the contest.  Of course I did not have as many
contacts as some, and the computer logging (although
it was the generic NA log file) did help.  I just had
to count the number of times I worked each county.

One thing that I feel needs to be addressed is
encourgaging more SSB activity (never thought I would
say that).  Now don't get me wrong, I am mainly a CW
operator, but the general view of this contest is that
it is mainly a CW contest.  That view is correct, from
the past few years at least.  THis probably scares off
some potential contestors from Illinois.  In this
world of 5 wpm extras, who pass the test and never
bother with CW again, we may be losing many potential
fixed or even mobile contest operations.  I know that
if you are mobiling solo-like I have done-SSB is the
way to go while in motion.  I limited CW to times when
I actually stopped the car.  Not sure how to get more
SSB activity going.

Along those lines, we need to encourage more fixed
station operations in general.  The only Peoria county
that I worked was K9WA/M.  There must be several hams
in Peoria who are active on HF.  I also only worked
one station in Rock Island county.  Dupage county did
not have as much activity as I would have though, and
several of my QSOs came with mobile stations.  I had
only 1 Lake county QSO.  Somehow the clubs in Illinois
need to promote this contest more among their members.
 It is only an 8 hour contest, so it isn't like it is
going to kill an entire weekend.  Maybe we need to
schedule the contest on the Bears bye week (HIHI). 
Maybe adopting SSB only, CW only, or mixed mode
categories might help.  It would be very difficult to
win this contest on SSB only.  Many people who run
mainly SSB might figure why bother.  

Anyways, a great contest, and keep up the good work. 
Can't wait untill 2003.  I found a few old QSLs
earlier this week from the 1993 ILQP, and noticed that
it was earlier-on October 10.  I assume it was moved
to not conflict with the PA QSO Party?
73s John NE0P

P.s. the 2001 contest gave my a very rare QSL-A SSB
QSL from K9WA.  Working Jim on phone is probably rarer
than working P5.  

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