[PaQSO] RTTY and Other Vermin

[km3dddd at localnet.com]

Greetings & Salutations,

Well Guys, I've been watching the progress of the PA QSO Party for quite
some time now - have been both a participant and software provider since
'82, and I'm very disappointed with both the way the event rules have been
(not so clearly) presented and the way that changes have been offered.
ANY change should have a well-defined path for proposal, discussion,
definition, and implementation.  It is obvious that we do not have that,
and the responsibility for that lies solely with the contest committee. 
We can all suggest actions, but only the committee can act on them.  In
most recent years, the contest committee has chosen not to do so.
The spirit of the party has been a wonderful thing.  I've looked forward
from year to year thinking about the Pennsylvania and out of state hams
who have become fast friends; sometimes not making contact at all between
events but always having a kind comment sent and received about 'how we
are doing'.  The party has GROWN; and growth has been  accompanied by
complexity (heck, look at the rest of the world around us).  Either the
rule set has been incredibly solid, or we have ignored the problems (and I
think we all know which is the fact).
In the past 23 years I have enjoyed making the effort to both compete as
an operator, and to provide a tool that admittedly makes a quantum leap in
scores possible (heck, in '82 a weekend with 300 or so contacts was
considered stellar -try it with pencil and paper again!).  One year, I won
the high alltime score in Union County with 120 contacts -never happen
again; that is now history <grin>  -that's progress.
This year, I am taking a 'sabatical' and will not be operating much -
well, maybe a few Q's from Lebanon County; but only a few.  Somebody else
will have to pick up the ball and run from Clearfield County this time
(hint:  cabin #2 at S.B.Elliott State Park is the right cabin -reserve
early at www.paparks.com).
The past three years have been a bit rough; have lost both parents and
found myself without a job after 25 years in retail automotive accounting.
 After a couple of misfires with misfits I find myself happily and
productively employed with a Harley-Davidson dealer for almost the past
year now.  It's been a trip.  The good news (and maybe bad for some) is
that my wife and I will be cruising the Carribean on a (Harley-sponsored)
cruise in October..... so all party bets this year are officially 'off'
<grin>.  My bonus?  Had never been on a motorcycle in my life and last
summer got my 'ticket' and an old bike -it's a blast!  I'm 52 and feel
like a kid again!
My point?  I hope I haven't lost anyone yet...  I'm taking a year off
-away from the party.  Get your act together; this means Chuck and company
- or more besides me may decide to 'sabatical' into other interests. 
Harley sponsors a great benefit-ride to see fall foliage in PA the same
weekend as the PA Party each year.  We'll see what you look like in '06.
Enjoy the event.  MY website: www.km3d.com -will still make available the
PAQWin software if you need it.  Remember, PREPARE.  It's easy to answer
questions BEFORE the event occurs <'nother grin>.
73 and encouragement,

HarryB
KM3D
Trustee for K3OWL