[CQ-Contest] NAQP Rules

[Aldewey at aol.com]

NAQP CW continues to be my overall favorite contest.  I like it  BECAUSE 
the amplifiers are off and the spotting network and skimmer is not  in play 
(i.e. except for multi-2 and , perhaps, cheaters).  For me in the  mid west, 
the timing is perfect.  By starting at noon, you still get a  taste of 
propagation on all 6 bands.  And the ten hour limit (including the  2 hour breaks) 
are body and family friendly.  I also like it because  it IS SO2R friendly. 
 If I was limited to one radio, I think I would  quickly become bored.  
SO2R is certainly not something relegated to the big  guns.  It does not take 
much to have a second transceiver  / vertical even on a small lot.  Even a 
Triplexer will  get you into the game if you (like me) just have a single  
tri-bander with wires.  Then it is just a matter of developing the  skill.
 
Having said that, I understand Jeff's frustration about the level  playing 
field.  However, I don't think a bunch of new categories is the  answer with 
one exception.  Some kind of recognition on a regional  basis does make 
sense.  As I looked at the 3830  results yesterday, some of he top stations had 
well over 200 QS and 40  multipliers on 10 meters.  That is simply not 
possible from certain areas  of the country. My main motivation in NAQP is 
competing against myself and  a few other contesters in my area of the country.  
It doesn't show up in  the results but the bragging rights are still there, 
nevertheless.
 
So, in my opinion, some kind of regional recognition does make sense.   But 
separate categories for assistance, SO2R, tri-bander / wires, etc, high  
power, etc. - I would say no.
 
73,
 
Al, K0AD
 
 
In a message dated 1/12/2014 5:47:25 P.M. Central Standard Time,  
ku8e at bellsouth.net writes:

Am I the  only one who has a big letdown when I check the 3830 scores and 
see how badly  I get beaten? I don’t know who figured out that someone like 
myself who is  running wire antennas (or someone with wires/tribander beam) 
can be compared  evenly to someone with a big station with multiple monoband 
beams on towers  just because we are both running 100 watts. That’s silly. 
Those big stations  would still probably beat me even if I ran a KW.  And it’
s not because  I’m a poor operator.

Here are some ideas :

1) Have both a SO2R  class and a classic category (one radio) like they 
have in CQWW .
2) Add a  tribander/wires category
3) High and low power classes
4) Add an  assisted category
5) Divide the US into regions and have top ten boxes for  each of them. The 
way conditions were yesterday the west coast had even more  of an advantage 
then they usually do because 15 and 10 meters were both open  pretty good.

Don’t take this email the wrong way (as complaining)  because I love NAQP 
CW and the activity yesterday was great. It’s just a  pretty stale contest 
because the same 3 or 4 stations win every year for a  long as I can remember. 
Plus I would love to compete against someone who has a  station more equal 
to mine.

Jeff KU8E

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