[PaQSO] Saturday 0000z-0400z

[Jimk8mr at aol.com]

I've never operated RTTY contests so I can't be certain of this  
recommendation (but I have operated many CW and SSB sprints), but if you want to  operate 
RTTY in PaQP, those might be the *best* hours to do it.  
 
The Sprint exchange already includes a qso number and state, so if you send  
your county along with the other your Sprint information (number,  name, and 
state) they will have all they need. For qsos with states/provinces  with only 
one ARRL section, you will have all you need for PaQP from their  sprint 
exchange. You will have to drag an ARRL section out of those who live in  states 
with multiple sections. Or a county from any guys in PA who may not be in  PaQP. 
 
 
But from a Sprint perspective, I'd think any activity is better than no  
activity.
 
 
Also concerning RTTY operations, last year 40 meter CW was clobbered by  RTTY 
contesters in the early evening hours.  It turns out to have been from  the 
German sponsored Markothen RTTY contest. Between the RTTY QRM and bad  
propagation we abandoned 40 CW around 8 pm EDT.   
 
But it turns out that the Markothen contest runs in 8 hour segments, so  that 
at 8 pm (0000z) the contest is done for the rest of the night.  So if  you 
are discouraged by RTTY QRM on 40 CW, wait until after 0000z and things will  
likely be a lot better.
 
See you as W3USA/M, probably about the same route as last year.
 
 
73  -  Jim   K8MR