[PaQSO] 2m FM ACTIVITY HOUR, etc.

Fri, 18 Jul 2003 08:57:00 +0900

I guess there is no harm in putting a 2m FM activity hour in the rules but I
suspect it would mostly be ignored just like many of the other
recommendations in the rules such as high band activity hours, keeping
certain frequencies clear for mobiles, using SSB on the hour and CW on the
half hour, etc.  These recommendations express someone's belief in how
things ought to be but are either not necessary or not practical.

With 12 HF band/modes (160 through 10 CW and SSB) on HF, it is simply more
productive to stay on HF in this contest.  I think it's reallly a matter
that HF and VHF just don't mix in a contest.  I can't think of a single
major contest where activity is permitted on both VHF and HF (FD is the
exception but it is officially not a contest).  HF and VHF are very
different animals.  One problem with the higher bands is that people in
populated areas have an advantage that people in rural areas do not have.

The answer to promoting VHF activity in the PAQP is to create a VHF version
of the PAQP (The Pennsylvania VHF Contest) some weekend in the late
winter/early spring.  Nittany has its hands full with the PAQP and would
probably not be interested in sponsoring it, but there are many groups that
would be appropriate, or we could create such a group here.  I think a PA
VHF Contest would be loads of fun (lots of good montaintop locations in PA)
and would be very popular if promoted properly.  (It would give me an excuse
to buy one o those nice new rigs that cover 6&2.)

As to the other suggestions made here recently:

Extra points for 10, 15 and 20 contacts.

There is already a huge incentive for operating on these bands:  the
multipliers that you can only get here.  If this is not incentive enough to
operate on the high bands, more QSO points is unlikely to make much of a
difference.  As we head into a period of poorer high band conditions, we
will probably see a drop in activity on the high bands.  The PAQP has its
own traditions and rationale.  The fact is that the club competition is
intense and it is a chance for PA stations to work each other.  In this it
is completely unlike the CQP or the FQP.  The PAQP simply can't become the
CQP or the FQP and we could mess up a wonderful event if we try to turn it
into something it can not become.  Yes, it is tougher to operate the PAQP
from the west coast, but some would view this as a challenge.  Personally, I
think the PAQP would be very fun to operate from the west coast.  Yes, it's
not like operating from Ohio, but you are competing against similarly
disadvantaged stations.  N6MU and others have racked up very good scores
from 6-land.  Trying to working PA stations on 40, 80 and 160 from the west
after sunset sounds like a lot of fun to me.

RTTY?

The CW part of the band (I'm thinking of 40 meters) is already crammed.
RTTY would just make a huge mess of the place and make the CW ops angry.  CW
and RTTY do not mix well.  We really don't need 18 band/modes in this
contest.  (But a PA RTTY contest could be cool.)

Only three months to go!

73,

Hal W1NN (aka W3USA/M)

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jim" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, July 17, 2003 2:44 AM
Subject: [PaQSO] 2m FM ACTIVITY HOUR

> Time to think about 2003 again.  I would like to
> formally suggest a 2m FM activity hour.  I propose
> making it on Sunday October 12, 2003 at 4 PM.  We can
> informally decide to do it here, but I would prefer to
> have it officially placed into the QSO mailings and
> promoted statewide.  It appears the contact at NARC
> is:
>  [email protected]
>
> He needs to hear from us to get this official.  I
> tried writing, but failed to obtain a response.  Most
> people tend to not answer emails anymore, so you never
> know if they read them, but it's worth a shot.
>
> The logic behind this time is twofold.  First of all
> the Murgas Club always uses Sunday at 4 PM, so they
> are already making noise on 2 FM.  Also, with 2 hours
> left in the contest, there is plenty of time to devote
> to 2 FM, so no one feels rushed.  I personally worked
> 2 Fm for the last 2 hours of the test last year with
> decent results.  I worked a fair stream of people.  If
> we promote it, it should be much better.
>
> Jim
> N3PBH
>
>
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