[PaQSO] CQ vrs S&P

[Michael Coslo]

Probably time to chime in with why we do things the way we do things.

Mobiles and Rovers

We have mobiles, and we have rovers

A mobile station is designed to get around quickly. A Rover station is designed to have a better antenna system. A mobile station is a big part of how we have people getting 67 counties, as the mobiles scoot to the counties that are rare that year.

Mobiles are a little harder to work for sure. There were plenty of Ops that I didn’t make it into their log from a rare county, but they had a pileup, and I can’t compete with power and antennas. CQ or call for a mobile in a pileup, and sometimes there can be a big reward.

Rovers are going to have a home station signal if they have a decent antenna. This is a huge advantage over a mobile. The disadvantage is that setup/teardown moving and setting up again is slower. The best strategy for Rovers is to pick out a group of counties that are all nearby each other in order to maximize their coverage, and minimize travel.

Hard work simply to operate in these two classes.
 
We have portable stations

Portable stations are where a person goes to a particular county, sets up in a RV park, State Park cabin, or even a pavilion if they are especially brave to game the October weather. A little more setup, usually a camping type atmosphere for the people involved. Usually a much better antenna is in use, as you can set up the day before, and take time to get it right.

We have County Line Stations

This one is a little different, as a person sets up by a county line, and hands out more than one mult. There is really no good competitive reason for this, but one very important reason nonetheless.

Fun

County line ops enjoy the search for multiple county locations, and how to get there and set up. It’s fun for them. Certainly they get no scoring advantage. They’re just enjoying it. They are helping other people get more counties. 

We have Home Ops. 

This is what most people enter, and most of them as low power stations. This class should be pretty self explanatory.

We have a Bonus Station

Another fun, and often competitive aspect for people and the bonus station Operator(s). It often takes a good bit of planning and coordination to pull this off. A lot of work for the bonus station coordinators, eh Pete? (last years bonus station coordinator)

Then there are all the other  subgroups like QRP, CW only and other plaque classes.

The important thing to remember is that I have to balance things out so that one group or person's desired change doesn’t throw a wrench in the works for other classes.

Now this doesn’t mean I don’t want feedback. I really do. I just have to bring a different perspective to the discussion. I have everyone to worry about. 

As an example, an Op who I don’t think participates any more, wanted me to eliminate county line stations altogether, allow Rovers to operate in multiple counties without moving, operate as a mobile between setups. Basically making mobiles and Rovers indistinguishable  except for the Rovers having an occasional antenna advantage, plus bonus points for not ever moving when parked at a county line.

Remember when I asked for feedback on County line operations last year? People were overwhelmingly for their continuation.

Roving and mobiling is inherently a lot of work. We’re lucky to have the people we do have. I’m not certain that making things as easy as possible will help entice more people. Just the preparation and operation of either is more work than folks who desire a more relaxed operation wish to do. I spend several days getting ready, 2 long days operating, and maybe 20 minutes preparing my summary sheets. 

Now regarding two day operation. 

As Chip eloquently put it, going to one day will have a bad impact on people who want to do portable operations, not for lack of effort, but for a massively reduced return on that effort.

In addition, one day party means no mobile operations going to counties that happen to be rare that year. A lot of 67 county results will simply go away. Cutting the party in half is seriously drastic.

There really is something for everyone, IMO, and I’ve been more than willing to make changes, as my record shows, but I have to be careful that I don’t pee in anyone else's Wheaties by making those changes.

- 73 Mike N3LI -