[PaQSO] Two questions

[ed.miske@kennametal.com]

As for the power distinction in portable operation:

Blair, K3YD, asks "why"?
I would reply, for the same reason there are QRO, medium and QRP power
categories for fixed stations. Or for the same reason Multi/Multi portables
are not in competition with S/O and M/S portables. Or for the same reason
CW only entry's are limited to 150 watts max.

There is no rule that says you can't operate portable as an M/M, you just
can't compete for the portable award.

There is no rule that you can't operate "CW only" with a full can...you
just can't compete for the award.

Of course you could use your amp any time you want.

But you would either be in competition with other QRO portables or else
just not in competition for the portable plaque.

And it's not because I think that an amp is such a great advantage that a
100 watt station can not compete. Lets face facts....probably 75% or so of
our 'target' stations are within reach with 50 watts, let alone 100 watts
or a KW.

I think it was W3TDF who commented once that he only kicks it on "now and
then" for the HI or NWT or YK, or whatever "far out" mult.

But then again, maybe that's the point....multipliers.

As a medium power portable operator, I've found that my mult "ceiling" is
around 136 or so; high 120's in bad years and 137 is best ever. I think an
amp gives a station a chance at "another layer" of mults that I will never
get.

I have never worked SB, PAC, PR, VI, NWT or LB in the PaQP. Also, I've only
worked AK, NS, MB and NF once. How many of those 10 mults have I not worked
because they are just not on the air? How many because I was "not on the
right band at the right time"? How many because "you can't get there from
CMB with 100 watts"? Any QRO stations know about the mults they've
worked/not worked?

Anyhow, I focus on CW in an effort to offset my lack of mults. Some years I
(or N3FR or another medium port) gets the bear, and some years the bear
gets us.

Ron, WN3VAW, states he strongly disagrees with the idea that "portable"
stations should be
limited to 100 Watts. If he wants to take the time and trouble to haul
along his linear, that's his prerogative.

Of course it is....just as it is any operator's preorgative to work in any
category with any power he wants. You just may not be able to compete for
the certificate/plaque in some cases. I would never  suggest any
"limitation", just a separation.

Well, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it.

73
Ed/WA3SES