[CQ-Contest] CQP 50th: The Countdown Begins

[John Miller]

Just a few days now until the 50th Running of the California QSO Party.   The Big Question is:

Are You Ready?
• Have you registered your County yet?  http://www.cqp.org/cqp2015.html
• Have you read the latest rules which include the new SO Assisted category?	http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html
• Are you considering operating Mobile from more than one county?  You'll be popular!
• Are you excited about working those 1x1 GOLD RUSH callsigns and collecting that commemorative coin?  http://www.cqp.org/goldrush.html
• Or perhaps winning one of the 6 new SO-Assisted award plaques?   http://www.cqp.org/Awards.html
• Have you ordered your commemorative CQP T-Shirt yet?  http://www.cqp.org/Awards.html
• Are those antennas installed and tested for 160, 80, 40, 20, 15 and 10M?

To make sure you and your station are ready for the Big Event, there will be a 45 minute practice session this week.

Practice Session
Date;	Friday Night, October 2
Time:	7:15 - 8:00 PM PDT  =  Saturday, October 3, 0215 - 0300 UTC
Bands:	20M, 40M, 80M  (15 minutes per band)
Modes:	Both CW and Phone
Exchange and Center Frequencies:  Same as those shown in CQP Rules:  http://www.cqp.org/Rules.html

Operators can call "CQP CK" (CW) or "CQP Check" (Phone).

Check your antenna SWR, CW macros, logging software, boomset, keyer, seat cushions, etc. to make sure everything is working smoothly

Our County Expedition teams will especially appreciate having this practice session -- but this will also give you a chance to make sure Murphy stays away from your home QTH too.

Net Meeting after practice session:  Friday, October 2 at 8:00 PM PDT = 0300 UTC
Where:    3610 kHz LSB  (+/-)
Report on your status, try some signal or audio checks, ask questions, etc.

All 58 Counties will be on the air starting this Saturday, October 3 at 1600 UTC.    

Get ready to have some real contesting Fun this weekend in the great California QSO Party!

73,
John, K6MM
CQP 50th Team