[NLRS] Minnesota QSO Party

[w0zq at aol.com]

The Minnesota QSO Party is Saturday, Feb 3, from 8:00am to 6:00pm. 
Minnesota stations (you and me) work the World (including other MN 
stations) while the World works just Minnesota stations. Activity is on 
HF through VHF, CW and SSB. The contest exchange is very simple - its 
your first name and what country you are in, so for me operating at 
home its "Jon, Hennepin". Stations outside of Minnesota give you their 
first name and their State or Province such as "Paul, New York", etc. A 
station can be worked twice on each band - once on CW and again on 
SSB/FM.

The complete operating rules can be found at 
http://www.w0aa.org/mnqp.htm . At that website there is also a 
downloadable paper log form (back page of the flyer) and free 
downloadable software for just this contest. I have used this free 
software for previous MnQP and it works great. Most major software 
logging programs also support the MnQP - just make sure that the county 
designations are right as those changed a few years ago.  If you 
operate CW, be aware that each MN county has a offical three letter 
designator. For example, Hennepin is "HEN". Those offical three letter 
designators can be found on the same website at 
http://www.w0aa.org/mnqp_2007_mult.htm . If you hear a mobile, they 
will be signing their call sign with the county that they are currently 
in. For example, if I was mobile in Scott county, on SSB I would sign 
as "W0ZQ Scott" and on CW its "W0ZQ/SCO". Mobiles can be reworked when 
they enter new counties just like its a new station.  The website 
provides suggested frequencies as to where to find activity. Award are 
given to the winners of each operating class.

New this year, the top three MN stations with the most number of SSB 
contacts will also be recognized. If you are not a CW fan, get on SSB 
and yell "CQ CQ Minnesota QSO Party". In fact, do not be shy .... 
remember that the World is looking for Minnesota stations, and they 
will not find you if you do not transmit.   Call "CQ Minnesota QSO 
Party", or on CW "CQ MQP" alot !!!!   As there is a club competition, 
please remember to put NLRS on your logs.

W0ZQ/R will be operating as a HF mobile on 20, 40, and 80m, mostly CW. 
My plans are to activate the following counties - most likely in this 
order: Goodhue, Dodge, Steele, Rice, Waeca, Blue Earth, Le Sueur, 
Nicollet, Sibley, McLeod, and Carver.

In summary, get on, make a few contacts, and have fun in this exciting 
event.   If your not a big CW nor contest fan, get on SSB and have fun 
passing out a few Q's .... its really a laided back, fun operating 
event.   Send in your log and make sure you list NLRS as your club.

If you have any questions, ask.

73, Jon
W0ZQ
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