[CQ-Contest] State QSO parties and CW

[Dennis McAlpine]

I recently completed a fairly extensive analysis of the rules and results
for state QSO Parties and was interested to see that, overall, about half of
the top score QSOs were on cw and half on SSB. But, looking further into it,
I found that in the big QSO Parties, e.g. CA, FL, PA there was a much higher
percentage of QSOs from SSB.  My guess is that it was easier for
participants outside the state to find casual in-state operators, who were
probably not really in the contest but could be enticed into giving out the
needed information.  This could be harder to do on cw than on SSB.  

It would also seem that if one did not provide separate cw and SSB
categories, the more dedicated ops would almost be forced to go on SSB to
have a competitive score.  Of course, for non-SSB operators, like me, this
might be a deterrent since I would rather not go chasing around the SSB
frequencies.

73,

Dennis, K2SX

-----Original Message-----
From: cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:cq-contest-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of W4ZW
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 10:30 AM
To: cq-contest at contesting.com
Subject: Re: [CQ-Contest] State QSO parties and CW

> >
> > Does the extra points that CW QSOs score relative to
> > SSB QSOs make everyone stick with CW?

Having just finished the FQP as a mobile, I can tell you that it's a lot
easier to actually run on CW than on SSB, using low power and mobile
antennas.  In the first phase of my mobile itinerary, I was solo; driver,
op, etc. and I had to stop and operate with the motor off.  In my case, the
noise level was a factor, but trying to operate cw, log, and drive is
multi-tasking beyond my capabilities.  The second phase of my mobile was
with the XYL driving, and I think many, if not most, of the FQP mobile
rovers are two man teams, one driving and the other operating.

Here in Florida we are blessed with RF "hot spots", docks, Oceanside parks,
etc., where being mobile is not as much a disadvantage than in some other
places.  I know, I was astounded at the signal levels while we were stuck in
a traffic jam up on the skyway bridge.

YMMV,



Jon Hamlet, W4ZW

Casey Key Island, Florida
"A little piece of paradise in the Gulf of Mexico"


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