[PaQSO] It Ain't Broke, So Tweak It

[Ron Notarius WN3VAW]

A lot of the suggestions for improving the Pa QSO Party for future years
come across as somewhat drastic changes.  I don't see major problems with
the contest (ie, "It Ain't Broke...") that require major "fixes" like adding
QTC (ugh! horrors) or drastically overhauling the scoring system.

This is not to say that like anything else that's been around for 45 years,
there aren't some areas that could stand a little tweaking.  By "tweak" I
mean minor changes to accomodate changes in operating habits, new
procedures, and so on -- but not so major as to drastically change the
contest.

So, in the unlikely event that the Pa QSO Party Committee (ie the Nittany
ARC Board of Directors, I belive they're one & the same right now) were to
ask my opinion, here's what I'd suggest:

(1)    Allow electronic logging entries.  Specifically including e-mailed
logs.  But with the caveat that:
        (a)  it be done in a single standard format, with Cabrillo being the
obvious choice, and
        (b)  someone get in touch with the Cabrillo authors.  Why?  Because
I learned from some of them that the software already exists to
electronically dupe and tally most major contests within hours of the
electronic entry deadline.  In other words, if we're going to make it easier
to get the logs in, let's also make it easier to process the logs too!
        (c)  some method has to be found to accept payment for mugs and
plaques from those of the deserving who want them.  Outside of setting up a
business account to accept credit/debit cards, which I don't think they'd go
for, the only thing that comes to mind is that if you have to send in some
money, send your log in the mail with the check -- on a disk.

(2)    We currently have CW & SSB modes (and we should say "phone" to cover
AM & FM voice too, but I digress).  Let's add a Digital mode.  I think
interest in PSK31 and other digital modes, along with traditional RTTY,
AMTOR, PACTOR, and Packet, is at the point that the contest could easily
sustain it.  And having a third mode option would help fill some of the
"dead" times when you think you've worked just about everybody you've
heard... got'em on CW & Phone?  Then look for them on Digital!  Caveats here
would be that either you lump all of the non-CW digital modes under one
umbrella for scoring purposes, and limit it to a handful of specific popular
modes so that you don't have 25 or 50 non-compatible digital signals trying
to talk to each other  -- 3 to 5 would be bad enough.

(3)    Pick specific calling times for 6 and 2 meters.  The prevalence of
rigs like the TS-50, IC-706 and FT-100 with VHF capability makes it more
likely you can find someone to work, if you know where and when to listen.
And promote the bejeezus out of it to attract newcomers like so many of the
NC Techs we have around right now.  Why exclude them?  Get them in on the
fun, and maybe they'll have a little more incentive to upgrade or stay
active!

(4)    Promote the bejeezus out of 10 meter operating too.  We have a
Novice/Tech division.  They're going to have enough trouble attracting
attention in the 80/40/15 CW bands (YES, let's promote using those too!),
but at least in the N/T section of 10, everyone can come and play.  Same as
above -- the operators exist, let's try and hook 'em and roll 'em in!

(5)    I don't know how, though I have some ideas, but we've got to get some
more activity generated out of some of the rare & semi-rare counties.  Many
of the ones that were tough this year have local clubs and local hams (where
oh where were all the hams of New Castle?  where was the PODXS?  Hey, a
PSK31 part of the contest might interest them!).  There has to be, HAS to
be, some way to get out and get these guys interested.  Not to spoil the fun
of those who love to go portable / rover / mobile -- and it shouldn't -- but
there is no earthly reason that most of these "rare" counties were rare!
There has to be a way to get them involved!

That's pretty much it, off the top of my head.  What do you think?

73, ron wn3vaw
"Be who you are, say what you think, people that matter don't care, and
people that care don't matter." -- Dr. Seuss