Topband: QRPers calling CQ in the SP ?

[James Rodenkirch]

I call CQ during any contest as a QRP entry (is there, really, any other fun category?) and have mini-runs of 5 to 10 return calls often, especially during the 160 meter events.

I can't say, for certain, the % of Qs that have resulted from a "run attempt" but I'm thinkin' in the order of 10 to 15%, at a minimum! The key to run "success" is: keep moving up or down the band 'till you quit hearing signals, move back down or up 'till you start hearing signals, ratchet down your receiver's band width 'till comfortable with the least amount of "interference" from the closest contester and start calling CQ....worked very well for me during the Pre-Stew this past October - even added my first of several HI Qs for that contest during a "run period"!!

Those suggested "QRP watering hole freqs" do nothing but undermine and constrain, mentally, the typical QRP operator's ability to make Qs, whether in a contest or not. I subscribe to several QRP focused reflectors and see posts, often, where the decision to "get on the air" is hampered by the posting ham's reluctance to stray from those "blessed frequencies"; it's difficult to chase DX that way and equally difficult to enjoy LOTs of QSOs. 

71.5/72 de Jim Rodenkirch K9JWV 

________________________________________
From: Topband <topband-bounces at contesting.com> on behalf of Jim Brown <jim at audiosystemsgroup.com>
Sent: Thursday, December 24, 2015 1:05 PM
To: topband at contesting.com
Subject: Re: Topband: QRPers calling CQ in the SP ?

On Thu,12/24/2015 11:45 AM, Barry N1EU wrote:
> Realistically, 95%+ of the QRO guys hunting for a clear run frequency are
> not going to have a clue that 1810 is anything other than totally available
> to them.

Right. And sometimes I'm part of the QRO crowd. :)

FWIW, I consider reserved frequencies a pretty bad idea. Whether QRP or
QRO, I do my best to find a frequency to run that will be clear at the
DX locations I want to work. And when QRP, I don't CQ a lot -- mostly
when I'm wanting to pass out Qs to locals.

73, Jim K9YC
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