LOW POWER IN CONTESTS

[K7SV at aol.com]

The ability to quickly switch bands with modern transceivers is part of what
makes the NAQP attractive.  The low power class also attracts some of us that
restrict our operation to low power for a variety of reasons.  A few years
ago I stopped operating altogether after problems with neighbors and tvi/rfi
while running fairly high power (pair of 3-500Z).  After moving to this qth,
my family was very concened when I decided to
get back on the air.  My decision at that time was to stick with low power.
 I've had a ball in the DX contests because my take off is excellent from
north to south by way of east.  I can run Eur with low power.  

I've enjoyed the NAQP's and do fairly well.  Now the discussion of using
amplifiers to get the 150 watter power level comes up.  There is no doubt in
my mind that Jim K4OJ holds his to 150W.  It seems to me that it would make
sense if  the low power category in all contests was defined as 100W.  I say
that because many of the troops run low power because high power is out of
financial reach.  Transceivers in the 150-200 watt class are also out of
reach.  The majority of ops are using the 100 W class rigs, so why not put
everyone on a level playing field where it can easily be done.  If someone
has a good argument against my logic, I'm always willing to listen.
This is one way of telling newer and less fortunate contesters that we want
them to play with us and we'll make a small concession to make the playing
level a little more level.  (I realize it's impossible to to level the
playing field, but this should be a
painless way of getting it a bit closer).

73 de Larry K7SV   k7sv at aol.com

>From trey at cisco.com (Trey Garlough)  Fri Jan 17 14:46:35 1997
From: trey at cisco.com (Trey Garlough) (Trey Garlough)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 97 6:46:35 PST
Subject: ==Delaware QSO Party Feb 1-2==
Message-ID: <CMM.0.90.4.853512395.trey at scv-cse-4.cisco.com>

> Scoring -  There is ONE CLASS for all stations.
>            Count ONE POINT per PHONE QSO.
>            Count TWO POINTS per CW/RTTY/Digital QSO.

Will there be coffee mugs for make a "clean sweep" of all the Deleware
counties?

--Trey, N5KO

>From iadiahfd at netins.net (Larry Lindblom)  Fri Jan 17 16:55:45 1997
From: iadiahfd at netins.net (Larry Lindblom) (Larry Lindblom)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 10:55:45 -0600
Subject: WANTED: SLOT ON NAQP SSB TEAM
Message-ID: <199701171655.KAA07597 at ns2.netins.net>

Typically for NAQP SSB I would be one of the team members at N0NI (formerly
NC0P).  Looks Like Toni has a full crew this year and wants to give a new
contester a shot.  Due to this I do a SO effort.  Are there any teams that
need another member?  If so let me know.  

I won't promise a major score but will give it the full 10 hours.

I'm sending this from work so please don't reply to this e-mail address.
Instead direct any reply to  wa0etc at ix.netcom.com

73 & TU
wa0etc
Larry Lindblom

  


>From HWDX09A at prodigy.com ( ROBERT   REED)  Fri Jan 17 15:20:03 1997
From: HWDX09A at prodigy.com ( ROBERT   REED) ( ROBERT   REED)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 10:20:03, -0500
Subject: Amps in LP tests?
Message-ID: <199701171520.KAA09244 at mime4.prodigy.com>

Let's just make the rule exciters only - no amplifiers. This will 
allow for a few of the new radios with 150 watts output.

Maybe exceptions for the NCX-1000 and a few others need to be made 
but the idea should be to just keep the amps out of the line period.

____

 73,   Bob Reed,  W2CE 
       1991 Route 37 West - Lot 109
       Toms River, New Jersey 08757



>From thompson at mindspring.com (David L. Thompson)  Fri Jan 17 16:09:58 1997
From: thompson at mindspring.com (David L. Thompson) (David L. Thompson)
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 1997 11:09:58 -0500
Subject: LOW POWER IN CONTESTS
Message-ID: <199701171555.KAA35436 at mule1.mindspring.com>

Years ago most entered the ARRL SS using low power (150W).   The first year
I ran my 4-400A 500W amp at 150 W using the big autotransformer we built
into the power supply chassis.  Several saw what I ran in the results and
complained.  The next time I got a 4-125 (I got three all somewhat soft) and
changed tubes.  I also got the  club secretary to sign that I was running
150W or less.

Why?   Because there was a multiplier (1.5 on phone, 1.25 on CW) for low
power.   Most winners ran low power!!! I would like to see more low power
push in local contests to cut down the QRM.

The 150W limit for low power was based upon the transmitters at the time.
Plus this is input 
(remember voltage times current in ma) not output.  100W output is about
160W input on SSB and 180 to 200W input on CW.

I think a change to 100W output is in order.   And how about a middle power
range, too?

        QRP     5W output
        Low Power 6 to 100W output
        Medium power 101W to 500W output
        High Power over 500W output

I remember the tests someone ran on the west coast.   A 60' tower with a
TA-33 running 1KW was usually beaten by a big tower/antenna station running
barefoot.

Tuning across the band in a recent SS signals were 30 to 40 over 9.  These
would still be 20DB
over 9 with 100W.   Plus if you did choose to run high power your signal
would stand out.  90%
of my contacts are barefoot because I want to stay in good relations with
neighbors and their telephones/audio equipment.    And the FCC rules still
call for the lowest power possible to still make a good contact!

My .02 worth.

Dave K4JRB