[PaQSO] On the matter of Digital modes in the PAQSO

[Michael Coslo]

I read with great interest Al's posting this morning. A very good  
posting if I may say so.

I'd also like to address some of the questions raised regarding this  
digital addition to the party.

Encouragement vs Penalization* First and foremost, We give extra  
points per QSO to encourage use of a mode. I am sometimes left  
scratching my head when I'm told that we are penalizing a mode that  
already gets more points per qso than SSB does.

*Two points for all CW contact*s * This is a different issue, and  
while we will probably visit it after next years party, for the time  
being CW QSOs will retain their present point value.

*The records*  Unless there is some amazing outpouring of PSK and  
RTTY use in the party, there really won't be much impact on the  
records. As we head to the pits of this sunspot cycle, scores are  
reflecting that. In fact, I would have to say that the bottoms of the  
cycles are the best times to make changes. Less impact on the contest  
records.


	And a final note on the records is that these modes are inherently  
slower than either CW or phone.

*interference* Here is a strange one. If people stay where they are  
supposed to, there isn't much problem. I hear about how it is going  
to be a problem, yet I did not hear complaints about the two rtty  
contests that were going on during last year's party.  Interference  
is in the ear of the beholder. There are people out there that think  
that contesting in general is interference. I believe that a QSO  
Party where people give up a run temporarily to allow someone else  
the opportunity to work the rare one that they just worked, has the  
people to figure out how to share the bands with the other legitimate  
users.

*Classes, Awards, Etc*  The addition of Digital is simple. We make  
the contact, and add that to the score at the prescribed number of  
points.

	There will be an award for the digital modes, someone volunteered to  
sponsor it the day I announced it.

	An important thing to remember is that the awards are not involved  
in points or not points. This is to say that anyone can suggest an  
award. We'll consider the request, and possibly add it to the mix.  
There is no specific effect on the contest one way or the other, save  
that awards are kinda cool, and that is why we have 'em.

	
Finally, I would like to suggest that people take a deep breath,  
relax, and keep in mind that this is probably going to involve maybe  
25-30 people in a contest that has a lot more than that.

Okay, really finally - I have a rule of thumb for discussions. Keep  
it Civil! Name calling, accusations, and other ugly stuff is a great  
way to ensure that you won't be responded to. I'm not the moderator  
here, but I can decide whether to post or not. And I have some rules  
issues that I would like some feedback on. The question is, can we  
get to them in civil fashion?


	- 73 de Mike KB3EIA -