[CQ-Contest] Michigan QSO Party This Weekend

[David A. Pruett]

The Michigan QSO Party is this weekend.  The contest period is only 12 
hours long - great for getting some operating in while not using up the 
whole weekend.  Full rules for the 2003 MiQP are at 
http://www.miqp.org/MiQP_Rules.htm.

We're pleased to report that the Michigan County Map at 
http://www.miqp.org/2003_Operations.htm is completely filled in - all 83 MI 
counties have announced operations planned.

One of the challenges presented by Michigan's geographic location (as 
opposed to California or Florida) is that we're typically not blessed with 
reliable F2 propagation to the major population centers on 20/15/10.  Most 
MiQP activity takes place on 40, although 20 and 80 usually get their share 
as well.  15 and 10 presents a dilemma for in-state stations, since the 
lower bands generally offer much better rates.

To help focus high band activity, the MiQP announcement offers "activity 
times" where Michigan stations will QSY to 10 and 15 and attempt to 
generate activity.  These are similar to the activity times recommended in 
the NAQP contests.

The recommended MiQP activity times are:

10M SSB - on the hour during even-numbered daylight hours
10M CW  - on the half hour during even-numbered daylight hours
15M SSB - on the hour during odd-numbered daylight hours
15M CW  - on the half hour during odd-numbered daylight hours

We hope you'll come join us on the air this weekend.  Log forms, software, 
and other operating information is available on the MiQP web site 
http://www.miqp.org.

73,

Dave Pruett, K8CC