On Fri, Dec 25, 2015 at 6:46 AM, James Rodenkirch <Rodenkirch_LLC@msn.com>
wrote:
> Those suggested "QRP watering hole freqs" do nothing but undermine and
> constrain, mentally, the typical QRP operator's ability to make Qs, whether
> in a contest or not.
Indeed.
The thing to remember is that the calling frequencies are intended for lean
QSO times, as in weekday afternoons and evenings so that those looking for
QRP can find them, or those calling can have a chance at being heard
because other stations check there first.
The QRP calling frequencies are to call, connect, then move off, so someone
else can use the calling frequency. They are not designated QRP parking
spots. They are not a cage for weak signals.
PARTICULARLY in the Stew Perry, where you get points for WORKING a QRP
station, folks will be looking for weak signals calling CQ. If it only
takes them three times as long to work a QRP, they are AHEAD of the game.
At this point, other than admittedly lower rates, the main distinction
between QRO and QRP is that for QRP search and pounce in the early hours is
not so good an idea. Call CQ instead. Stay on the high end, and move up and
down to be above the mob but not TOO far above the mob. CQ SP K9XYZ K9XYZ.
The "CQ" will make sure the skimmers pick you up for contest spotting. Keep
your exchanges lean. Do NOT repeat the exchange unless asked. Only send the
grid square in the exchange. Don't send anything they don't have to put in
the log, other than his call sign, and that only once per contest QSO. If
you're quick, people will wait to work you.
CQ SP K2AV K2AV (running QRP, CQ SP ticks the skimmers, that's for the
stations using assistance.)
K9YC (answer to CQ)
K9YC FM05 (my minimum transmission)
NR? (he didn't get it, I've gone into a fade)
FM05 (bare minimum repeat)
NR? (still didn't copy)
FM05 FM05 (send twice on third send)
TU CM87 (he got it, his grid)
TU K2AV (minimum, minimum)
Note that if there is a station waiting for this QSO to complete he will
likely have already copied your grid square. The only way to take advantage
of that is to send the absolute bare minimum. The faster you are when your
signal is in the open while the QSB is up, the better the score.
QRP calling CQ is contained in the same non-intuitive class of confounding
truths as QRP needing QRO tuners and antennas where loss has been
minimized. Loss hurts QRO by burning things up, the same loss hurts QRP by
further dragging down the transmitted signal. And the most important piece
of equipment for a 160 QRP station is an efficient antenna counterpoise.
160, especially, is really not the band for noodle antennas and noodle
counterpoises.
A listener's worst nightmare: a QRP station with micro tuner using coils of
AWG 28 wire, a wire stapled to the basement rafters as an antenna, a city
water pipe counterpoise, and always signing /QRP to make copying the call
doubly hard. If you must have such a station, then you must. Just please
don't sign /QRP.
See you in the Stew.
73, Guy K2AV
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