[PaQSO] Re; 2 Questions, Food, antennas & Certificates

[w3tdf@juno.com]

Hi Folks,
I was away for a few days, so I had to wade through 84 e-mails, of
which about 70 were from the reflector. Wow. What a following we
have, and how many opinions. Which reminds me; - Opinions are
like 'noses', everyone has one.
CERTIFICATES. I have operated portable 12 of the last 13 years, AND
have won county awards, and received certificates, in 11 of the 12.
AMPLIFIERS. I run a Dentron MLA-2500, which is good for a maximum
of 450 watts. I use it 100% on SSB, and whenever I think I need it on
CW. Antennas are cut for the phone band where you need all you can get.
ANTENNAS. I erect a 30' aluminum tower with a tribander on it, and
which has a yardarm at the top fitted with 3 pulleys, which are used
to haul up wire dipoles for 160, 80 & 40. Takes about 4 hours, in 
good weather, providing the area is clear of obstacles.
LOCATION. I try to find Counties that are needed, (and which I can
stand a chance of winning), and go there. I gaurantee there are one hell 
of a lot of 'County-Sweeps' that would not have been, if I wasn't out 
there doing what I enjoy. Anyway, regarding the certificates, I've got
'em, but don't really need 'em.
SWEEPS. The rules either stipulate, or suggest, that the term 'Sweep'
refers to all counties. I'll not kick that dead dog any more!!!
FOOD. Before I remarried and allowed my wife, in silence, to go
along, I ate cheese-crackers, and various other snack foods, (while
on CW only), and drank gator-ade. I got rid of the used gator-ade in
an empty soda can while the (voice or cw) keyer was running. (Never
missed a QSO !!!)
CW POINTS. Sure it would be nice to get 2 for all CW, but then all of 
the past records would be non-comparable.
OTHER. I busted my 'you know what' for 10 years trying to get my QSO
total past 1000, and I'm still busting it to tryin to break the 200K
points. All of
this under the present rules structure. The point is, DON'T MESS WITH
A WORKING SYSTEM. You want to limit portables to 150watts? Why not
limit everyone to that. So how many will cheat, and how would you know?
One year I made 997 Q's. I could have manufactured 3 more to make it 
1000, but what satisfaction would I get, AND who the hell would care one
way or the other. It's a hobby, let's keep it that way.
You want additional certificates for QRP and CW-only? Why? The
point/mult bonus rules are set up to award those categories an additional
advantage, TO MAKE THEM COMPETITIVE WITH THE REST OF THE GANG.
Plus, you would just put a bigger work load on Nittany. Don't they have a
cross to bear already, trying to get the results out to everyones
satisfaction?
I hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings. If I did, I apologize for being
prejudiced,
or opinionated.
73
de
The Grump.

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