[CQ-Contest] NAQP Revised Rules

[Aldewey at aol.com]

It seems to me this question has been asked and answered.  The  majority 
prefer NAQP to remain as it is with the focus on Single Operator  non-assisted 
operation.  I get weary of the argument that those who resist  packet use 
in a particular contest are dated or behind the times.  I,  like many, have a 
state of the art station (with modest antennas) with  the latest logging 
software and set up for SO2R.  Although I often use the  spotting network in 
DX contests, I just do not see the thrill of having other  guys (or 
technology) find mults for me in a domestic contest like  NAQP.
 
Yes - it is true that another category could be added for SOA.   However, I 
also worry about category inflation in contests.  By adding  another 
category, you have just doubled the number of awards and , perhaps,  watered down 
the prestige of competing for the top spots whether they be at  the national 
or state level.
 
I do agree with the K8MR that, if there is one tweak that might make sense  
for NAQP, it would be to remove the 10 minute rule in the M-2 class.   
Because single ops wanting to use the spotting network are forced into the M-2  
class, the 10 minute rule effectively eliminates the ability for these 
single  ops to do SO2R which, in my opinion, is crucial to have success in this  
event.
 
Finally, when there are spirited discussions like this on a particular  
topic, I often go back and look at the contest results to see how active those  
with the most vocal opinions are.  I always give more weight to those calls 
 who I consistently see listed in the contest results.
 
73,
 
Al, K0AD
 
 
In a message dated 12/18/2016 2:45:56 A.M. Central Standard Time,  
w0mu at w0mu.com writes:

So how  does that affect you as a single op?

You are not competing against  SOA.

How is your reward removed because I worked someone using  packet?  I can 
still use packet just like M2.  I can use 1500  watts if I want and 
submit no log or a check log.  How does that  change what you do?

We used to ride horses and buggies too, some still  do but 99 percent of 
us have moved on the cars, bikes other forms of  transportation.  We used 
to use spark gap transmitters.  So you  have drawn a hard line in the 
sand for packet yet use, computers, fancy  SO2R boxes and other 
enhancements to better your score. Anyone up for  paper logging and dupe 
sheets?

Please explain how another 70 or  even 300  people in their own class is 
going to change  anything?

You are not competing against people with packet.  So  don't the other 
single ops have to find people by spinning the  knobs?  All the knob 
spinners are in the same boat and those that  spin knobs and watch spots 
are in another boat and racing against each  other not you.  At a drag 
race everyone uses the same two tracks but  they have 10 to 20 classes.  
I guess some would want to eliminate  certain classes because they are 
too loud or go too fast?  Isn't this  what you are doing with packet?  
People don't like it so somehow it  changes how they operate.  Am I wrong 
here?

What you won't say  is that you might have a more difficult time working 
a mult because there  might be a pileup caused by packet. I use packet 
and still find new mults  on my own before they get spotted.

You realize that the people use  packet to SPOT YOU and that gets you 
more contacts.............  Or  maybe you all have forgotten that part.

W0MU



On  12/17/2016 12:21 PM, Mike Smith VE9AA wrote:
> Because Tom, it changes  the whole dynamic and mechanics of the contest.
>
> Right now,  rare sections will be discovered by all single ops by spinning
> the VFO  and using their ears.
>
>   
>
> If there  were to be a SO(A) category instituted, rare sections would 
always
> (or  usually) have a "packet pileup" on them.
>
> The unassisted op is  no longer rewarded for being a sharp fox with 
elephant
> ears due to the  fact assisted ops and the massive worldwide RBN
>
> feeds beats  them to the punch in 99% of cases.
>
>    
>
> It used to be, the sharp ops found the most mults by  THEMSELVES.  Now ,
> anyone with a telnet feed can find the  mults..
>
>   
>
> Mike  VE9AA
>
>   
>
>    
>
>   
>
> I have subscribed to the "boy  and his radio" idea since I started ham
>
> radio in 1975, and  have never been much of a fan of packet. I have
>
> always likened  it to spoon feeding. However, I have a question to
>
> those who  have expressed their opposition to it in this thread:
>
> If a  separate SOA category was created for NAQP, how would that
>
>  detract from the enjoyment of operating the contest  for  those
>
> who choose to run under the SO category? I can't see how  it would
>
> change anything as far as the actual mechanics of the  contest is 
concerned,
>
> other than it might incite a few people  who would not otherwise 
participate
>
> to join in, meaning more  QSO's for the SO ops. The only thing it would
>
>  change
>
> would be to move numbers from one section of the score  results to 
another.
>
> The ops who are at the top of the heap in  the scores are still going to 
be
>
> there, no matter what  category they are in, because they have better
>
> operating  skills and better stations.
>
>   
>
> Let  the assisted stations fight it out amongst themselves, it  matters
>
> not a wit to me.
>
>    
>
> K0SN
>
>   
>
> Mike,  Coreen & Corey
>
> Keswick Ridge,  NB
>
>   
>
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