To any one even slightly interested in operating CW:
Are you reluctant to participate in a "contest?" Indeed some are intimidating,
however the NAQP this weekend is user friendly and has many features that allow
the beginner and intermediate operators to achieve a respectable amount of
contacts and most importantly, have fun. The North American QSO Party takes
place tomorrow (Saturday) from noon CST to midnight. It only occurs twice a
year for each mode - CW, SSB and RTTY.Examples of simplified, friendly features
include:
- The power is limited to 100 Watts. So those who normally use 1500 watts,
can't do so, and thus have no advantage here.
- The "big guns" may have "antenna farms" which lets them compete among one
another, but the vast majority of participants simply have just have a dipole,
and end-fed antenna, a vertical or similar. I have a vertical. We know that
we won't win, but who cares. You and I are in it to learn and to have fun.
It's also a great way to build up your code speed.
- As it is the NORTH AMERICAN QSO PARTY, funny thing, but probably 98% of
the participants are from North America and therefore more easily reachable.
- The "multipliers" (see rules at https://www.ncjweb.com/NAQP-Rules.pdf )
are the US States, Canadian Provinces and other North American DXCC entities
(but not their states). So it is advantageous for any DX or domestic station,
to make Qs with only the multipliers - that is you!
- Accordingly, it is a chance to add a few DXCC entities to your log.
- Operators are limited to operate 10 of the 12 hours. Rest assured, I will
not be operating even 10 hours but I will make a bunch of QSOs.
- As this e-mail is aimed at beginners and casual contesters like myself,
even just operating for 3 or 4 hours will result in a very satisfactory number
of QSOs.
- As with most contests, there is a standard exchange - For the NAQP, your
name and state/province/foreign country are all that is required.
- Many use either a short alias or shortened names - Bartholomew, even if he
likes to be addressed that way, will undoubtedly use "Bart."
- Because it is a standard exchange, you know the nature of what is coming
at you. It's not like "chewing the fat" (chatting) with someone where wording
is "open season." Furthermore, your exchange as sent is always the same;
therefore some use the keyer mode either built in to their transceiver or an
external memory keyer. Regardless, if you don't want to "deal with" a keyer,
you will "automatically" send your exchange manually after 5 or 6 Qs.
- If you are generally unfamiliar or unexperienced in this regard, I suggest
that you participate by doing "search and pounce." That is you search around
for someone sending CQ NAQP (there will be gillions) and you pounce by sending
your reply with your call. The other option, as you get more experience, is to
"run," that is you send "CQ NAQP" and you then listen for them to come back to
you.
So, do give it a whirl. You won't regret it!
And by the way, do submit your log to the contest people (see rules). No, you
won't win any awards, but it is the courteous thing to do and shows support.
The organizers use all logs to keep the Big Guns honest.
FYI - it is always best to use a computer with either free or very inexpensive
logging software, but isn't necessary. I use N3FJP. See the rules regarding
paper logs.
HAVE FUN!
Tnx es 73,de John, K5IZO
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