I participated as a W4AN station on SSB last year and logged 816 contacts from Chatham County (Savannah). WB9DBD logged 841 SSB contacts from HEAR. So there were a lot of people to work if you were on the bands in that mode. Being W4AN/CHTM also let me pass out bonus points which were deeply appreciated by a large number of people once they figured out that there were bonus points to be had. I even had a e-mail after the contest from a young ham's father thanking me for explaining to his son about the qso party, and finally hearing them during one of the pile ups.

I have long felt that we could use more fixed SSB activity during the qso party. Since I only compete on phone, 1 or 2 points for each contact doesn't make much of a difference to me. However, leveling the field for fixed mixed stations might increase SSB activity as there would be more incentive for a mixed station to stay on the band for both CW and SSB if points per contact were the same.

Now, my physical limitations prevent me from being competitive so I will be on this year helping to put CHTM on the air and talking to folks around the country.

No matter what, it's supposed to be fun… and it is!

Stay safe – Jere, KT4ZB

-----Original Message-----
From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr@arrl.net>
To: ku8e <ku8e@ku8e.com>
Cc: secc <secc@contesting.com>
Sent: Sun, Jan 10, 2021 11:33 am
Subject: Re: [SECC] 2021 GQP

How did you arrive at 500 points?

What’s the typical number of points that people earned last year?

> On Jan 10, 2021, at 11:26 AM, ku8e <ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:

> Bill

> I would change the points to something like 500 points total to working W4AN or W4NT once. The only reason we did it per band/mode last year was for something for people to chase since we had no rovers.

> Jeff

> Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

> -------- Original message --------

> From: Bill Coleman <aa4lr@arrl.net>

> Date: 1/10/21 10:51 AM (GMT-05:00)

> To: Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com>

> Cc: secc <secc@contesting.com>

> Subject: Re: [SECC] 2021 GQP

> How many folks got the W4AN, W4NT bonus last time? How many points was that?

> I think the one-time bonus idea is a good one. I’m just not sure how many points it should be.

> > On Jan 8, 2021, at 1:17 PM, Jeff Clarke <ku8e@ku8e.com> wrote:

> >

> > OK we will keep the multipliers as is. If there isn't any interest in having W4AN and W4NT as bonus stations I will remove that as well. I will keep the rule allowing multi-op entries from more than one station location in the same county until COVID-19 isn't an issue anymore. So basically we will revert back to 2019 rules with the exception of the new multi-op rule.

> >

> > Jeff

> >

> > On 1/8/2021 12:57 PM, chaz@w4gkf.com wrote:

> >> I would like to strongly echo Scott’s remarks:

> >>

> >> "If it’s not broke, don’t “fix” it."

> >>

> >> Chaz W4GKF

> >> GQP Awards Manager

> >>

> >>> Begin forwarded message:

> >>>

> >>> From: Scott Straw <kb4kbs@gmail.com>

> >>> Subject: [SECC] 2021 GQP

> >>> Date: January 8, 2021 at 9:40:14 AM EST

> >>> To: SECC <secc@contesting.com>

> >>>

> >>> My thoughts:

> >>>

> >>> 1. There seems to be a rising tone of defensiveness seeping into this thread. Let’s step back carefully and read what is presented, remain objective, and then carefully read what is authored (before pressing send) and of course, remain objective.

> >>>

> >>> 2. State QSO parties should be, and generally are, intended to be FUN operating events that encourage casual operators, both in-state and out-of-state, to get on the air and operate. Let’s not take this so seriously that we suck the fun out of it.

> >>>

> >>> 3. Any and all rules should be formed and crafted to push fun into the GQP, not suck it out. Out-of-state operators chasing 1x1 callsigns and bonus stations are obvious examples of the push, so long as the objectives are reasonably obtained by the casual operator (even though it is an “operating event”, 13 Colonies is presented as Exhibit A).

> >>>

> >>> 4. As to the “other side of the coin”, there needs to be incentive for the casual in-state operator to be active as well. A crazy idea to encourage in-state activity would be to count each S/P as a multiplier PER BAND. Of course this would mean a MAJOR contest software re-write, so its likely not practical for 2021.

> >>>

> >>> 5. The “COVID Concession”, allowing neighbors in the same county to act as a multi-two team from their separate homes with a single callsign seems like a great way to encourage in-state activity also. Coordination of bands and modes among team members to avoid simultaneous band/mode operation is not insurmountable. I would like to see this provision extended and encouraged. If the team is unable to use a single log connected via Internet for scoring, the two separate logs can easily be melded together afterward before submission.

> >>>

> >>> 6. With every proposed amendment to the rules, the preeminent question should be “will this encourage more activity?”.

> >>>

> >>> Finally, a personal note. As an AV Field Engineer, I get sent on a lot of service calls. Here are some of my main axioms:

> >>> - Let’s verify that it’s broken before we jump in and start trying to fix it.

> >>> - The lack of a desired feature doesn’t mean it’s broken.

> >>> - The presence of an undesired feature doesn’t mean it’s broken.

> >>>

> >>> My main guiding principle was taught to me by my son: “Dad, if it’s not broken anymore, stop fixing it”.

> >>>

> >>> My calendar is cleared for April 10-11, 2021.

> >>>