[CQ-Contest] Signing /QRP In Contests

[Steve Baron - KB3MM]

In view of all those disadvantages, I would say'Don't work them if it is too
much trouble'.

I personally encourage them.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Eric Hilding" <dx35 at hilding.com>
To: <cq-contest at contesting.com>
Cc: <k9la at arrl.org>
Sent: Sunday, December 05, 2004 20:58
Subject: [CQ-Contest] Signing /QRP In Contests


> [SIGH...]
>
> While I admire those who take on the challenge of 5w in a DX contest (or
> any other NON-QRP-Specific) event, these are my observations (and
> FRUSTRATIONS) of working stations that sign "callsign/QRP" instead of just
> their calls...especially in the ARRL CW DX Contest as DX in February and
> most recently in last weekend's 160m contest:
>
> *** ADVANTAGES:         Absolutely NONE
>
> *** DISADVANTAGES:      MANY (below)
>
> 1. The QSOs take longer regardless of signal strength because each side of
> the exchange has to send 4 UN-NECESSARY additional characters.
>
> 2. If the QRP op's signal is weak, in QRM that means more UN-NECESSARY
> frustration and wasted time for the receiving op.
>
> 3. More UN-NECESSARY characters to type on the keyboard increases the
> possibilities of missssssstyping errors.
>
> 4. For those using TRlog with the Auto Send Character Count set to 5 (and
> certainly 4), the #&^! (and UN-NECESSARY) "/QRP" extension is the
> [explicative deleted].
>
> *** REALITY CHECKS:
>
> 1. Making more QSOs and working more Mults in the allowed time is (or
> should be) everyone's goal.
>
> 2. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.
>
> 3. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.
>
> 4. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.
>
> (Redundancy intentional)
>
> I've operated 5w in several "Spartan Sprint" events, but don't recall
> anyone there every signing "/QRP".  Interesting.
>
> IMHO, DX Contest Organizers (even for the SS) should include the following
> in published rules:
>
> "QRP stations are encouraged NOT to add "/QRP" to their callsigns, because
> this serves no purpose other than to slow down everyone's QSO per hour
> rates, increase errors and the bottom line (especially for DX stations) is
> that nobody really cares during the contest."
>
> 73...
>
> Rick, K6VVA
>
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