[PaQSO] QRP lament from the Midwest

[ed.miske@kennametal.com]

RE: Thread on QRP multiplier, etc.

I feel I know where Doug's comments were coming from...it's hard to hear a
2 watt signal on 40 SSB 500 or 600 miles away, in crowed band conditions.
My read is that Doug is suggesting that those stations weighing the issues
and trying to decice on QRP, medium power or QRO operation, give some
"weight" to the issue of the receiving station, especially those receiving
stations that are many hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away.

And while the subject has morphed into something entirely different, I
enjoy reading the comments that have resulted.

My comment on the QRP multiplier and the (tounge in cheek?) suggestion of a
bonus to QRO stations for working QRP stations, is that this is another
example of something in the contest that, while not "broken", could be made
to "work better".

I'm not suggesting I know what should be done to make it work better, just
that "tinkering" does not hurt.

It seems to me that the logic behind any rule is/was/should be to "spur
participation" in this very special event.

Some, no doubt, would say that the rules exist to  "make the competition
fair" or "level the playing field", etc.

And while that's true as far as it goes..... I say that we make the
competition fair and level the playing field so as to make people want to
participate.

If the QRP multiplier of 2 were eliminated would it increase or decrease
participation? My guess is the number of QRP'er's participating, (whether
they stay QRP or move up to medium or QRO power), would decrease much more
than the number of QRO'er's would increase.

The same logic applies to my pet peeve...specifically, if 10/15/20 meter
QSO's carried a bonus of some sort, I believe there would be more PA
activity on those bands there-by generating more out of state
participation.

And yes, I realize that such a rule might make it more difficult for me to
compete in, say, the "Portable" or "WPA Medium Power" categories, because I
would be fighting for those additional 10/15/20 meter Q's with my wire
dipole against (some) stations with aluminum. But that's a price I'd gladly
pay if the results were what I would hope for.........another 20 or 50 or
200 stations from "out west" or "DX" getting involved.

Making my list and checking it twice.............

73
Ed/WA3SES