I agree with Tom - never use "/qrp", although in minor non-contest
pileups it might work to get the attention of a soft-hearted op in ssb
or cw. Other than when chasing a RTTY new one, I have been running
unidentified qrp in all operating including contests since about 2000,
and am bothered enough by my making accurate contest exchange copy
sometimes difficult without the added burden of an extra length call.
At a repeat request rate of around one out of 10 to 15 qsos, qrp is a
good opportunity to experience the patience of almost all effected
contesters who seem not to mind repeats. A big thank you to them, and
also to CQ for having a qrp category in two of the most popular RTTY
contests. Now to work on the ARRL...
73, Dave, K2YG
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Original message:
... As for the /QRP issue I commented on, a contester at Dayton shared the
following thought: When someone signs /QRP on phone or CW (and now RTTY as
well), its like they are saying "HEY - I am running QRP. I am not putting
much RF into my antenna, so you need to listen harder!" It doesn't work
that way. By making their call longer, they are making me work harder, for
no reason. The QRP folks need to make my job easier by making their call
*shorter*! Leave off the /QRP, and my job of pulling out your complete call
(that conveys needed information) just got easier, not harder.
Is the person on the other end running QRP, low power or high power? I
really don't care. Just put enough RF into your antenna to make the trip to
my ears.
Make the job for the guy on the other end easier, not harder, and everyone
is happy.
I don't know if you were signing /QRP or not, but as a courtesy to all
contesters, please pass the word along that signing /QRP in a contest is a
BAD idea regardless of mode.
Tom - VE3CX
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