[CQ-Contest] QSO parties

[Kelly Taylor]

While I disagree with Dave's proposal to modify QSO parties, I appreciate 
the discussion, as it may prove helpful to sponsors of less-popular QSO 
parties should they wish to increase participation.

But...

I think each contest sponsor needs to determine what he/she/they want 
from a contest. It is their contest, after all.

If the intent is to become another CQP, I think they need to take some 
lessons from the CQP sponsors, who do an excellent job marketing the 
contest, and encouraging operations from all counties. K4OJ can also 
teach some guys a few things about marketing a contest. (How many days 
till FQP, Jim? 350 or so?) If you want your QSO party to be well 
attended, marketing is the key. And not giving up after the first, or 
second, or third attempt.

And I think contests such as FQP and CQP would be diminished by allowing 
``outsider'' to ``outsider'' QSOs.

If, on the other hand, the sponsor isn't interested in a big contest, and 
is merely trying to generate SOME activity from their state's or 
province's hams, they may feel turning it into a beeg contest may 
discourage some ops from joining in. That's their prerogative.  

I think if you want to invent a better QSO party, do it. But it may be 
unreasonable to expect existing parties to cater to the interests of 
those who want another quote-unquote REAL contest.

As K8CC alluded, a waste of time is in the eye of the beholder.

-- 
73, kelly
VE4XT
ve4xt at mts.net

Opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author. Gender-specific 
pronouns used only for convenience. Your mileage may vary. In case of 
discrepancy between these opinions and the REAL opinions of the author, 
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