[CQ-Contest] Signing /QRP In Contests

[Nat Heatwole]

Rick, K6VVA, wrote:

> 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)

While I agree that they are many disadvantages to signing /QRP, I do think
that your statement that there are no advantages to the practice is not
entirely accurate. Some advantages include:

1. If you are asking a station to QSY to another band, signing /QRP can add
a "pity factor" which might induce more stations to make the effort to help
you out. (This is not applicable to a 160m-only contest, however).

2. The addition of /QRP can add a level of recognition to one's call sign.
After all, the stations that you worked in this past weekend's contest sure
seemed to stick out in your mind (hence your post).

3. Putting /QRP on the end of your call sign can be a great tool in breaking
a large pile up. How many times have you heard a CQing station with a pileup
say "ah, the QRP station, go ahead."

There may be other advantages to the practice but not being a QRP operator,
that's all I can come up with right now.

If the practice really bothers you, when someone calls you signing /QRP, you
could always sign your call, as my friend Ben, N3UM, suggests, as K6VVA/QRO.

73,
Nat WZ3AR