[ILQSO] high bands and other comments

[jim funk]

Hey troops,
One criticism I heard from a CA station of the PA party this weekend (and by
the way, their organization and turnout were excellent!) was that the VAST
majority of the activity was on 40 and 80 meters, leaving the West Coast
pretty much "out of it".  While I don't think this has been as much of a
problem with ILQP (comments from the West??), we want to avoid it.  Even if
things are dynamite on 40 meters, pay some attention to the high bands if
they are open.

 If you are home and have a beam, point it toward Europe.  I heard PILES of
EU stations calling PA stations on 20 and 40 meters, and many times the PA
stations were not hearing any of them.  Stand by for DX and mobiles once in
awhile so they don't get discouraged.

Make your "QRZeds" short if you have people calling.  A simple, "Thanks,
N9ZZZ, contest" is better than "Thanks for Minnesota, have fun in the
contest, 73 and good luck, this is N9ZuluZuluZulu,  November 9 Zulu Zulu
Zulu QRZ in the Illinois QSO Party and listening for calls, QRZed" when you
already have a dozen people waiting to work you.  A few really long
"goodbys" and you'll find the pileup disappearing.  I can guarantee it!

Be friendly, but be efficient and respect others' rates as well as your own.
But please, not a bunch of "QRZeds" in a row (maybe one?) with no call.
After a few of those, people are either going to go away or call you and
dupe you.

I have a few corrections/additions to the map that I will send to KB9II in
mid-week.  Send your plans....

Six days, 1 hour, 46 minutes and counting....
73, Jim N9JF