NAQP CW continues to be my overall favorite contest. I like it BECAUSE
the amplifiers are off and the spotting network and skimmer is not in play
(i.e. except for multi-2 and , perhaps, cheaters). For me in the mid west,
the timing is perfect. By starting at noon, you still get a taste of
propagation on all 6 bands. And the ten hour limit (including the 2 hour
breaks)
are body and family friendly. I also like it because it IS SO2R friendly.
If I was limited to one radio, I think I would quickly become bored.
SO2R is certainly not something relegated to the big guns. It does not take
much to have a second transceiver / vertical even on a small lot. Even a
Triplexer will get you into the game if you (like me) just have a single
tri-bander with wires. Then it is just a matter of developing the skill.
Having said that, I understand Jeff's frustration about the level playing
field. However, I don't think a bunch of new categories is the answer with
one exception. Some kind of recognition on a regional basis does make
sense. As I looked at the 3830 results yesterday, some of he top stations had
well over 200 QS and 40 multipliers on 10 meters. That is simply not
possible from certain areas of the country. My main motivation in NAQP is
competing against myself and a few other contesters in my area of the country.
It doesn't show up in the results but the bragging rights are still there,
nevertheless.
So, in my opinion, some kind of regional recognition does make sense. But
separate categories for assistance, SO2R, tri-bander / wires, etc, high
power, etc. - I would say no.
73,
Al, K0AD
In a message dated 1/12/2014 5:47:25 P.M. Central Standard Time,
ku8e@bellsouth.net writes:
Am I the only one who has a big letdown when I check the 3830 scores and
see how badly I get beaten? I don’t know who figured out that someone like
myself who is running wire antennas (or someone with wires/tribander beam)
can be compared evenly to someone with a big station with multiple monoband
beams on towers just because we are both running 100 watts. That’s silly.
Those big stations would still probably beat me even if I ran a KW. And it’
s not because I’m a poor operator.
Here are some ideas :
1) Have both a SO2R class and a classic category (one radio) like they
have in CQWW .
2) Add a tribander/wires category
3) High and low power classes
4) Add an assisted category
5) Divide the US into regions and have top ten boxes for each of them. The
way conditions were yesterday the west coast had even more of an advantage
then they usually do because 15 and 10 meters were both open pretty good.
Don’t take this email the wrong way (as complaining) because I love NAQP
CW and the activity yesterday was great. It’s just a pretty stale contest
because the same 3 or 4 stations win every year for a long as I can remember.
Plus I would love to compete against someone who has a station more equal
to mine.
Jeff KU8E
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