[CQ-Contest] Upcoming Contests for Mobiles

[Hal Offutt]

Hi,

Most of you probably read the great article by Jim K8MR on mobile
contesting in the March/April 2002 issue of NCJ.  

Jim pointed out the similarity between the mobile category in state QSO
parties and the WRTC:  operators in both events compete from very similar
stations and under very similar conditions.  He explained the great fun and
challenge of mobile contesting:  laying out a route before the contest,
operating from a vehicle while enjoying the countryside scenery, good
pileups and rates, and real competition.  He also noted how much fun it can
be for non-mobile stations to follow the mobiles around and work them in
each new county they enter.   

Mobile contesting has become increasingly popular during the past few
years.  I think this is mainly due to the involvement of contest clubs in
the resurrection of the FQP, the OQP, the GAQP and the MQP and their
success in getting a lot of first class ops out on the roads.  Another
enabling factor is the availability of so many compact 12V HF rigs at
reasonable prices.  More and more state QSO parties now have achieved what
I think is the minimum number of active mobiles (six to eight) necessary to
make an interesting event for all participants.  I expect to see even more
mobiles out there in the future as people discover just how much fun this
form of contesting is.         

Four of the best events for mobile contesting are coming up over the next
three weeks.  If Jim's article stimulated your interest with his article,
you will have ample opportunity coming up to experience this brand of
contesting activity, either from your home QTH or from your own vehicle. 
Brief information on these events is shown below.  

First, a couple of notes:

1.  These events are rapidly becoming true  *CONTESTS*, not simply low-key
county hunting events.  The counties are the means, not the end.  Most of
the mobile operators in the events I detail below (with one exception) are
not especially interested in county hunting.  If you do chase counties,
though, there's no better forum. 

2.  Some of the top ops in the country are getting out there on the road in
these events.  Take a look at the results from previous years and at the
list of guys planning to operate this year and you'll see what I mean.     


3.  Although these contests are all centered in the US, activity from
outside the US is permitted and very welcome.

4.  There are pileups every time a mobile changes counties.  That's around
160 pileups during a 12 hour contest where 8 mobiles each change counties
20 times.  This is a great opportunity to practice your pileup-busting
technique.  How often can you be the first station into the mobile's log?  

5.  Plenty of cool wallpaper and plaques available.



Upcoming Contests with Major Mobile Activity


1. Michigan QSO Party, sponsored by the Mad River Radio Club,  April 20-21

A 12 hour event from 1600Z to 0400Z Saturday (noon to midnight EDST).  Nine
mobiles were active last year, with the winner making 924 contacts.  SSB
and CW but emphasis on CW.  Mobiles handed out nearly 5,000 contacts in
all.  Attracts some of the top ops in the Midwest.  Most MI counties get
activated.

Rules and results:  http://mrrc.net



2.   Florida QSO Party, sponsored by the Florida Contest Group, April 27-28


A 20 hour event in two ten-hour time periods:  Sat 1600Z to 0159Z (noon to
10 PM EDST) and Sun 1200Z to 2159Z (8 AM to 6 PM EDST).  SSB and CW, good
activity on both modes.  10 mobiles were active last year and there were
403 total log submissions.  All FL counties were active.  High mobile QSO
count was 1207.

Rules and results:  http://www.qsl.net/fcg



3.  New England QSO Party, sponsored by YCCC and several local clubs, May
4-5

A 20 hour event in two time periods:  Sat 2000Z to 0300Z (4 PM to 11 PM
EDST) and Sun 1100Z to 2400Z (7 AM to 8 PM EDST).  
Both SSB and CW.  This is the first running of a new event that brings the
six small New England states under one QSO party umbrella.  Promises to
turn some sleepy NE state QSO parties into a real contest.  8 mobiles have
already announced plans to be active, and the sponsors are aiming to get
all NE counties on.  

Rules:  http://neqp.org



4.  County Hunters' Contest CW, sponsored by the Mobile Amateur Radio
Awards Club, May 4-5

A 48 hour event from 0000Z Saturday to 2400Z Sunday (8 PM Friday night to 8
PM Sunday night EDST).  CW only.  No significant activity during the night.
 Fixed stations can work each other as well as the mobiles but mobiles
count 15 points against 1 point for fixed station contacts, so activity is
focussed on the mobiles.  This is the only event of the year where mobiles
in different states can contact and compete with each other.  15 mobiles
were active in 2001, with the winner's QSO total at 1905 and the high
multiplier at 340.  The overlap with the NEQP this year should make for
even more activity.                


The Indiana QSO Party is also scheduled for Saturday, May 4 from 1300Z to
0500Z (9 AM to 1 AM) so you can work the NEQP, the CHC, and the INQP at the
same time.  Info at www.qsl.net/kj9d/inqp/rules.html.

 
73 & GL,

Hal W1NN


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