[CQ-Contest] Signing /QRP In Contests

[Zack Widup]

I almost always operate QRP portable in VHF+ contests.  In ARRL contests, 
the limit for this category is 10 watts (not 5 as in commonly accepted HF 
QRP circles).  10 watts will go a LONG way with decent antennas on 432 
and up.  Moderately sized portable beams have a lot of gain up there.

I NEVER sign /QRP.  I figure the other guy will do his best to hear me and 
if we complete the QSO, great.  It's difficult enough without adding 
more things for him to copy. He can always look in the contest results on 
the web to see what category I entered in. Quite a few people in my area 
know that already by previously announced contest plans.  :-)

As an interesting note, on VHF+ if the other guy is over S7 on my 
receiver, no matter where he is or what mode of propagation (tropo, AU, 
FAI, etc.) I can work him with 5 to 8 watts.

73, Zack W9SZ


On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 TOMK5RC at aol.com wrote:

>  
>  
> In a message dated 12/5/2004 7:52:58 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
> jds at twistedoak.com writes:
> 
> /QRP is  to get you to log 
> them that way.
> 
> It will never happen at my station. /QRP is not recognized by the FCC as a  
> legitimate portable designator. It makes no more sense to me than signing /QRO. 
>  If you operate QRP, you are already predisposed to disappointment.
>