[NLRS] Minnesota QSO Party.

[jcplatt1 at mmm.com]

OK, as long as Rich is making a pitch for the Minnesota QSO Party, I will
too.  This has become one of my favorite operating events of the year.  Its
fun because the world works Minnesota stations while Minnesota stations
work the world ..... plus its only a 10 hour contest thus leaving plenty of
time on the weekend for the honey-do list.

The contest has the following operating categories:
*  Single Operator Low Power (less than 100 watts)
*  Single Operator QRP (5 watts or less)
*  Single Operator Phone Only
*  Mobile - Single Transmitter (no limit on the number of operators)
*  Mobile - Unlimited (two or more transmitters operated simultaneously)
*  VHF - 6m and up.
*  Multi- Singe (single transmitter with multiple operators)

The contest exchange is very simple.  For stations in Minnesota its your
first name and your Minnesota county.  For stations outside of Minnesota
its their first name and their state or province.   So, for example, if I
work Paul in Ohio, I would send "Jon in Hennepin" while he would send "Paul
in Ohio".   Minnesota stations can also work other Minnesota stations.  For
example if I work Rich I send "Jon in Hennepin" and Rich sends back "Rich
in Hennepin".   Also, and this is VERY IMPORTANT, stations are looking for
Minnesota stations so you CANNOT BE SHY - you must call CQ like "CQ
Minnesota QSO Party, this is W0ZQ".

In recent years the NLRS has placed very well as a club in this contest.
Last year we placed second, is this the year we take over first place ?
The "Single Operator Phone Only" category has been very popular with NLRS
VHFers ..... W0TLE, K0SIX, and W0JLF all posted nice scores in this
category last year (yes - its HF).  You can also submit more than one log,
each for a different category - last year W9FZ submitted a log in both the
VHF and the Mobile categories.

To learn more, visit http://www.w0aa.org/mnqp.htm .  There you will find
results from the past years, full rules, some information about suggestions
on how to operate, a list of Minnesota counties and their CW abbreviations,
downloadable software for logging included a stand-alone MnQP program by
WR0DK, as well as downloadable paper logs (if you so wish).   There is also
a link to the Minnesota mobiles (rovers) along with information about their
proposed routes and theirs mobile stations - fun stuff.

As for W0ZQ, my current plans are to operate in the Mobile category.   In
previous years, I hit this contest as hard as I could, CW only.  This year
I am be a bit more relaxed in my approach and I might mix in some Fone with
my CW just for something new to try.

So check out the referenced website and set aside Saturday, Feb 6 for a fun
day of radio.   If you have any questions, you can drop me a note.  For
those outside of Minnesota, please get on and look for us !

73, Jon
W0ZQ