[ILQSO] County Lines

[ilqso@mailman.qth.net]

I have read most of the mail on this subject (for several years and many
QSO parties besides IQP) and have restrained myself from commenting this
year... at least until two county hunters showed up to weaken my resolve
(N4RS and K5IID)

MARAC and CQ (Ted, K1BV) don't really insist on an RST - there's no place
in the CQ 1st time award for an RST.  EVERYONE accepts an exchange of any
kind as a good QSO for the CHing awards.  I just put 599 on my QSL cards
if it's not part of the exchange - works every time!

Regarding "close enough" to a county line, I don't consider the game of
county hunting to be related even remotely to the game of horseshoes.  So
what's to discuss?  OK, we're really discussing contest rules - so 100
yards is OK for that!  150?  on the riverbank? from home?

If a mobile operator wants an opinion, he can keep asking until he gets
one he likes.  On the other hand, he can examine his location, decide to
his own satisfaction which counties he can claim to be in, and announce
them in his exchange.  Honesty and integrity should be his guide; without
those, he might as well stay home and operate in comfort and claim he is
wherever he wants to be.

I would like to see ALL state QSO Party contest committees clarify the
rule as:  "Your vehicle or antenna must be in the counties you claim."

GPS is probably required for proper positioning when claiming more than
two counties.  As long as the mobile or portable claims operation from a
"feasible" location where counties meet, accept it.  

This is a hobby, and IQP is a very interesting contest.  Regardless of
your county(s)!  And I only need Jackson to finish IL... for the past
three years!

73, Norm, W3DYA