[PaQSO] QRP Operations

[Mike]

As long as we are stirring the pot a bit I'll put this out to the group.
The last two years I have operated the party QRP.  As a QRP station I sign
/QRP in both SSB and CW.  I always tended to think this was the way to do it
when operating and collecting bonus for it.  I am a poor cw operator at
best, so I am not as competitive in this category as I should be, but it
keeps the neighbors from calling and complaining.
  
I have noticed most QRP stations don't sign as such.  By not doing so
exchanges are shortened resulting in more time over the contest period for
qso's.  Additionally you wouldn't be asked questions such as, How much
power? & What antenna?  When the bands are good this would result in a
higher rate of qso's per hour.  

Additionally I must add that it would be easy to operate at 100 watts and
then claim QRP at the end.  The difference to listener on a good band is
slight but during a contest the  additional power and resulting 2-3 S Units
increase makes a big difference.  Hopefully this hasn't occurred but if you
don't sign QRP no one would ever question your signal during or after the party.

After considering these things if not a requirement next year if I do QRP I
don't think I'll sign it.  Although a few times in the party stations did
put at the head of the line due to my QRP signing I think the times savings
would be more beneficial.  

Mike, N3BUD