Thanks for including me in the post, John. I've also read Ken's response. I
probably need to think about it some more to give a more reasoned response,
but my "gut reaction" is that NAQP, particularly cw, is one of my favorite
contests as it is. Some of the reasons are that it doesn't have the boredom
and frustration of Sunday in SS. It doesn't have the time commitment of the
long DX contests, and the exchange helps you remember names of other
contesters around the country. It's also one of the few contests where I see
non contesters joining in, particularly on SSB. Just about anyone can figure
out how to give your name and state. Don't have to know what ARRL section,
zone, or when you got your license. Maybe some of them will get the bug.
Regulars have a go at QSY bands in marginal conditions to get qso and band
mults. Including DX may discourage some of this and I think would tend to
give the advantage back to the guys who can put up big antennas which are
largely unneeded, and may be a liability, in domestic contests. As a low
power op, I like the level playing field of the 100W limit which has given
me some of my best rates. For the major, competitive DX contests, I like
joining in a multi effort at one of the big stations like N4AF/NY4A where
it's no holds barred. IMHO, as a more casual contester from my home QTH
with nothing more than a 75' tribander and 40M west-aimed wire beam, I'm
tending toward the idea that for a large number of us, NAQP ain't broke, so
I'd be hesitant to fix it. Will chew on it some more, though. It's always
important to look at things in new ways and not get locked into our
comfortable habits.
73,
Jim, K4QPL
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Laney" <k4bai@worldnet.att.net>
To: "cq-contest reflector" <cq-contest@contesting.com>; "secc"
<secc@contesting.com>; "Jim Jordan K4QPL" <k4qpl@nc.rr.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2004 5:49 PM
Subject: DX Participation in NAQP Contests
> Hello all:
>
> I have a very small rule change to suggest for NAQP (North American QSO
> Party) contests beginning in 2005. At present, all stations are limited
> to 100 watts. I propose that the 100-watt limit not apply to stations
> outside North America other than Hawaii, which is treated as a US state
> and not DX.
>
> We don't get a lot of DX (outside North America) participation in NAQP
> contests, but we get some. Some DX stations enjoy working US stations
> and try to participate. However, with the 100-watt power limit, if DX
> stations want to make many QSOs, they have to exceed the power limit
> (see claimed score of VK2CZ for February 2004 SSB contest). Therefore,
> the only practical choice for them to enjoy the contest is just to
> submit a checklog or no log at all.
>
> The same is true for some of the DX sprints. I entered the Asian
> Pacific Sprint this past fall, but was unable to work any AP stations
> with just 100 watts, so I ran the amplifier and worked a few. They were
> all whisper strength here with their 100 watts and none would have heard
> me with 100 watts. I have suggested to Tack, JH1CKA, that this rule be
> changed for the AP Sprints to allow DX stations to run their full legal
> limit and make a few contacts into the AP area.
>
> As the sunspot cycle declines, this limitation will be more or a
> handicap than it has been for the past few years. There are no real
> awards for DX stations who do participate--just recognition in the
> results. There should be no additional expense involved in
> administering the contests with this minor rule change.
>
> I'd like to see more DX stations enter the NAQP contests (and more DX
> stations in the AP and Eu Sprints too). It seems to me this change
> would make the contests more enjoying for all participants. Maybe I'd
> sponsor a plaque for the high combined CW and SSB score for stations
> outside North America if the rule is changed. That might bring out even
> more DX stations if the rule is changed. If the rule is not changed, I
> doubt a plaque would bring much more participation. If DX participation
> does not increase, the rule could be changed back to 100 watts for DX
> stations too.
>
> It might be particularly interesting to hear from contesters outside
> North America. I know a number have good naturedly complained that they
> cannot participate in our Sweepstakes contests that cover the bands two
> weekends in November; yet not many participate in NAQP contests. Maybe
> some have had the same reaction to the NAQP contests that I have had
> with Eu and AP sprints where I am limited to 100 watts trying to work
> stations who are running 100 watts and working other low power stations
> near to them.
>
> 73,
>
>
> John, K4BAI.
>
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