[PaQSO] Digi Goes Wild

[Larry G]

Greetings Everyone
             First let me say I welcome the digi modes.  Secondly,  thanks 
...there goes my old contest program!  Have no clue how I will handle 
digital scoring without paper intermission.  I can't keep one computer 
running during the whole contest without something happening like a power 
outage (2-3 yrs ago).   This will bring more newbies into the ranks...more 
possible Q's...who are computer happy.   This will also bring more QRM into 
the bandspread unless definite frequencies are determined and used.   I have 
heard little about Qrm from the contest this year compared to other years 
from the non-contesting community,  only complaints during it that were few 
since the contest is the greatest and overwhelming.   Open usage is next to 
nil during the opening and closing hours.
                SCORING:  I believe that scoring should be kept intact as is 
with digital being the wonderful 1.5 points (i heard that loud ouch). 
Maybe i can salvage my old program yet!!  Low Band CW should be kept at 2 
points since it is harder for some city dwellers to get on the lower bands 
and do cw.   This goes for the portable stations as well.   Digital requires 
extra attention and I would give it 1.5 points.   Digital also gives the low 
power people a little leverage since I never heard any 500 plus watt PSK31 
(rtty = yes often).  CW requires a talent and I would retain that at 
1.5points on the high bands as well.  DYING ART ?  Perhaps,  but let's give 
those with the ability the benefit of the doubt and entice others to join. 
Come on guys you have to help me out on this....I am still trying to save my 
old trusty program.
               DIGITAL also would give those out of state a better chance of 
working PA on 20 15 and 10m since Pa stations seem to be thin on those 
logsheets.   Or,  just limit digital to those bands as a trial.   It 
certainly will up the Q's on those bands.  Here I go spreading the Qrm over 
more frequencies but I always hear out of state stations asking to try 20 
meters.  Or 10 meters if it is open.   Digital ops are active on those 
bands.  More ops,   more Q's.  Will this affect top scores....yes but not 
for a few more years.   Gives everyone time to tweak their programs,  update 
their operations to digital, and more one program does all ....bam.  Sorry 
about that bam.
               EDITORIAL:  I have seen many changes over the years and there 
was always grumbling but the contest always improved.  Can we improve upon 
an already supersized contest....yes.   There are a large number of newbies 
out there trying to join the PAQP crowd but feel their numbers on phone or 
vhf won't matter and need a group to compete with.  Digital is part of their 
game,  one of the reasons they became hams.  This can open a whole new 
vision of the PAQP as a run what you brung drag race down to the last hour. 
Newbies competing next to the title holding stations.   This will spread the 
stations out....clean sweeps harder (maybe)....but scores will definitely go 
up with more out of state opportunities and participating stations.  Is this 
what you want?
                 Final thought.....I am available to beta test any new 
logging program.......least i can offer for my valuable thoughts.
thank you for serious consideration,,,,,it is a fun contest
www.ka3afy at ptd.net

De Larry N3CR  (ex ka3afy)
Carbon Radio