[PVRCNC] NC QSO Party Results

[Barry Baker, K4CZ]

PVRC had a great showing in the NC QSO Party this year
(http://www.w4nc.com/ncqpresults.html).  Marty W4MY, a NCQP newcomer, was #1
in the mobile (in-state) category...despite the flat tire in a rainstorm!
Jeff N8II was #1 in the S/O fixed station (out-of-state) from his QTH in
West Virginia.  We almost had a PVRC sweep in the three largest categories
as I finished #2 in the S/O fixed station (in-state) category.  Thanks for
all the Qs from PVRC members.

The NCQP has a "Club" category and it would be nice to see PVRC-NC
participation in that category next year.  Despite the name, the Club
category is a single station category...you must use a club callsign and
have at least two operators but can only have one transmitted signal at a
time (no band change limit).  Given the relatively low hourly rates, it
would be fun to operate 202R (two op two radio), with one op running all 50
states on 20/40/80 and the other tracking the mobiles for county mults on
40/80.  Counties and states both count for mults.  Mults only count once
(not per band or per mode).  There is a maximum of one DX mult so no value
in pointing the beam at Europe.  You get two points for phone Qs and three
points for CW Qs or working mobile stations.  Let me know if you might be
interested...

QSO parties and Field Day are two of the best ways to build interest in
contesting.  In some ways, a QSO party is better since you can operate from
a home QTH with optimal equipment, antennas, etc. (or at least a more
novice-friendly setup)...and no mosquitoes!  In addition, the number of
stations participating is relatively high but not overwhelming.  Kudos to
Bruce N1LN for recognizing this and inviting members of OCRA (Orange County
Radio Amateurs) to his QTH for the event.  With a fixed station, less
experienced ops can gain experience "running" (phone or CW) and it's also
fun to operate S&P while tracking the mobile stations as they travel around
the state.  As I showed, it's also easy to be competitive with a relatively
modest station.  The contest is only 10 hours so it's not necessary to
dedicate an entire weekend to the event.  As I'm sure most of you know,
Henry W2DZO and the Forsyth Amateur Radio Club organize the NCQP.  It would
be nice to see more PVRC-NC members active in this event, either as
competitors or as "promoters" who invite non-contesters to their stations.
This could benefit both contesting and PVRC.

73, Barry K4CZ