[PaQSO] What's the big deal?

[Mark Schreiner]

I agree with Joe.  I've only participated in PAQP for a few years, but 
it is one of my favorite operating activities of the year & I hope to 
continue to operate PAQP for a long time in the future.  While ongoing 
discussions continue on this topic I am saddened by the apparent loss of 
those who have the "Chicken Little" mentality.  Those of you who truly 
have a real love for the contest and the commraderie associated with it 
would not so quickly be giving up on such a fun event based on the mere 
suggestion of something intended to increase participation and add 
another aspect to it. 

For those that don't want to operate RTTY/PSK31, then don't.  Seems like 
it should be about that simple.  As for the possible QRM to CW due to 
the proximity of PSK31/RTTY, then I suppose we'll just have to wait & 
see.  However maybe some guidelines would be appropriate, such as a 
suggested area (Gentleman's Agreement) for the digital modes only.  I 
suppose somebody could even be a real stickler about it and require that 
exact frequencies be logged as well and that any QSOs outside of a 
"digital window" do not count (this would be fairly easy to enforce with 
some logging programs I think), but since this is the "Friendly QSO 
Party" there shouldn't be a need for that, at least among gentlemen 
(which reminds me of a posting on QRZ.com about the lack of "Gentlemen" 
and "Gentlemen's Agreements" recently, but I'll leave that alone for now 
and if anyone is interested check out QRZ.com, seemed like a good 
article which should apply to us all).  I disagree with opinions (I'm 
not saying that folk aren't entitled to them, I'm just disagreeing with 
them) that there should be a certain time (only) set aside for the 
digital modes, like specifically on Sunday afternoon, or whatever.  
Either it is part of the contest or it is not and beyond that any 
operating times should be like a suggested activity hour (like on 160m) 
but not necessarily restricted as such.  And certainly not in place of 
CW during some times.  If some people don't want to operate a certain 
mode, whether it be CW, Phone, Digital, VHF or whatever, well that is up 
to them.  I think it all will be very interesting how the best 
strategies (which will certainly be different this year) will play out. 

Everyone is quick to point out the negatives here on this reflector, but 
remember two years ago when there weren't really any details about the 
Bonus Station and everyone was coming up with various scenarios of how 
it could be all screwed up?  It all worked out fine, didn't it?  It 
actually worked out pretty well and I remember aftward people commenting 
"I worked the Bonus Station(s) X number of times!" with not further 
complaints.  Personally I think it set a new standard and added some 
interest to the Bonus Station.  I do think some announcements from the 
Bonus Station prior to all the participant's comments as to their 
intentions would have cleared up lots of the conjecture, but regardless, 
it still worked out, and pretty well, I think.  How is this ongoing 
discussion much different?  It think the recent comments from people who 
stated that they will not be participating in the contest next year are 
just jumping to conclusions without much basis, however, everyone is 
entitled to their own opinions, and so thanks for the QSOs in the past 
and hope to work you again in the future someday if you decide to 
return.  In the meantime I'll be working those stations who are still 
active and maybe (hopefully) some new stations as well. 

Suppose (from a previous discussion on here) somebody sponsors a VHF 
plaque (maybe somebody did based on the previous discussion, I don't 
remember).  Will there be all sorts of negative comments about that 
addition to the contest as well?  If it brings in more activity, fine.  
If I chose not to set up a station dedicated to 
VHF/UHF/Microwave/Lightwave/etc, well that is part of my strategy or my 
limitations or my lack of interest or whatever, but it certainly isn't 
going to keep me from participating in the aspects of the PAQP that I 
want to participate in.  If the addition of a VHF plaque gets more 
interest and participation then I think it was only good for the PAQP.  
Nobody's arm is being twisted to participate in any aspect of the PAQP 
that they don't want to, so don't sweat the small stuff guys, and 
remember, it is all small stuff!

Oh, and I vote for 2 points for all CW contacts if my vote counts toward 
anything!  If the points stay the same, well so be it.  Whatever the 
rules are they are the same for everyone so I guess it doesn't matter so 
much to me.

Respectfully submitted,

Mark, NK8Q
(maybe Potter County again in '06, but somewhere for sure!)

Joe Stepansky wrote:

> Forgive my naivete, but I don't see the big deal (other than possible 
> RTTY/CW interference issues on 40).  The original contest has NOT 
> changed.  A mode(s) has been added.  That's it.  The rest appears to 
> be the same.  If you don't care about digital modes, then there's 
> absolutely no change.  Just keep doing what you've been doing.
>
> As to CW vs. RTTY, I've done contests using both (much more CW than 
> RTTY) and I can make QSOs far more rapidly with CW.  There's simply no 
> comparison.  So I don't remotely believe people will leave CW for RTTY.
>
> I have no problem with making all CW QSOs 2 points, but I'll live with 
> whatever.  It certainly won't stop me from going to 80/160.
>
> Look, I've been mobile the last three years so Sunday afternoon 
> activity has not been a problem (being in Cameron, Potter and Clinton 
> counties will do that).  But I recall Sunday afternoon at home being 
> somewhat slow.  If this encourages more activity on Sunday afternoons, 
> so what?
>
> I just don't see the cause for angst.  If I want angst I'll just go to 
> work.  I'll be there next year.
>
> 73, Joe KQ3F
>
>
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