2018 Virginia QSO Party
SoapBox and Post-Party Tidbits





************************SOAPBOX COMMENTS*************
********************************ADDED 5 May 2018*******************************

QSO Card from KA7HBH.


*********************ADDED 14 APRIL 2018********************

K3CCR: K3CCR is the club station at the Collington continuing-care
K3CCR: retirement community at FM 18OW in MD, just east of DC.

K3CCR:
K3CCR: N3UM and W3GB did the 2018 VAQP Multi-2, as in ’16 and ’17. We were
K3CCR: able to put in 18 hrs BIC this year vs 12.5 in 2017, and are pleased
K3CCR: to claim 2X our 2017 score and 21 more counties because of that.
K3CCR: 
K3CCR: As in past years we found that despite serious tries on CW and
K3CCR: 40 m., VAQP from our QTH might as well be 80 m. SSB only, where
K3CCR: we got 79% of our QSOs and 85% of our mults.
K3CCR:
K3CCR: Our first hr. with 46 Qs (31 running on 80 SSB) and 33 mults was
K3CCR: our best; never got more than 28 Qs and 9 mults in any later hour. 
K3CCR: To get even those low rates, no one method worked for long; we tuned,
K3CCR: used KX4O’s spotting net, and CQ’d, but runs ended at 12-21 Qs.
K3CCR: Our hearty thanks to 3 high-energy mobile ops; W4GO/M for 23 Qs and
K3CCR: 12 mults, KJ4OAP/M for 13 Qs and 6 mults, and NB3A/M for 11 Qs
K3CCR: and 4 mults.  Thanks to other /M’s also, but those 3 stood out.

*********************ADDED 13 APRIL 2018********************
AA8TA:   Not much heard on day 1.  Seemed to more stations on Sunday.  40
AA8TA:   meters was somewhat compressed by the RTTY contest.  Nice to hear
AA8TA:   what I assumed to be some newer contesters.  Hope you try again
AA8TA:   in other events. 

K0ARG:   Test of my portable station. Great contacts using 5 watts (FT-817nd) and a
K0ARG:   Buddistick Thanks for the event!

K0STP:   1 or more contacts from: Madison, Culpeper, Orange, Louisa, Hanover,
K0STP:   Richmond City, Albemarle, Nelson, Fluvanna,  Total Mobile Bonus = 900

K1AUS:   I only had Sunday afternoon to work the QSO party. I worked all
K1AUS:   but one station I heard from VA. Conditions very poor here in my
K1AUS:   part of MT. Only heard one station on 40 meters, the one that
K1AUS:   couldn't hear me. I didn't hear any stations on 15,10 or 6
K1AUS:   meters. Thanks for the contest.

k1htv_fixed:   Operated using 75 Watts of FT8 on the 40, 20, 15 & 10M HF bands
k1htv_fixed:   using a pair of switchable 65 ft high ZS6BKW antennas for 40M
k1htv_fixed:   and an A3S traiband yago at 80 ft for 10, 15 & 20M.
k1htv_fixed:   Of the 278 stations worked, 8 U.S. & 6 VE stations did not send
k1htv_fixed:   their QTH identifiers, so were zero pint QSOs.
k1htv_fixed:   Only VA stations sent their county identifier.
k1htv_fixed:   I believe that serious consideration be given to incorporate
k1htv_fixed:   the highly popular FT8 digital mode into future VQP contests.
k1htv_fixed:   That may mean factoring in a Grid Square multiplier for FT8 QSOs.

k1ra:   Go FARA!

K1RZ:   Always find it a special challenge to work the Virginia QSO Party
K1RZ:   from across the river in Maryland.  I try to lower wire antennas to
K1RZ:   try to get best signal into nearby Virginia.  And I adjust some
K1RZ:   wire antennas to resonate on other bands. And then find I run a
K1RZ:   combination of powers - high power where I have a good match, and
K1RZ:   low power where I let the transceivers ATU match a somewhat off
K1RZ:   resonance antenna. I really appreciate the sponsors for organizing
K1RZ:   the VAQP event and also the many, many mobiles who drive across
K1RZ:   Virginia, plus the other fixed stations across Virginia.   Thanks
K1RZ:   everyone and 73.   Dave  K1RZ  Damascus MD

K2BFY.M:   Activity on VHF down this year

k2pi:   GREAT TEST, BUT RECEIVED COMPLAINTS FROM OUT OF STATE PARTICIPANTS REGARDING
k2pi:   THE VA STATIONS CLUSTERING ON 80M. THANKS TO ALL THE MOBILES, OUT OF STATE HAMS,
k2pi:   AND DX WHO TOOK THE TIME TO GIVE ME A QSO.  WE NEED TO REPAY THAT FAVOR IN THEIR
k2pi:   STATE CONTESTS.  ALSO, SHOULD WE CONSIDER OFFSETTING GAS COSTS FOR THE MOBILES LIKE
k2pi:   WE DO FOR DXPEDITIONS?  IT IS NOT CHEAP TO DRIVE ALL OVER VA.

K3TW:   "Many thanks for another enjoyable Virginia QSO Party."

K3VAT:    All contacts were FT8.

K4AWM:   One day operation and as always, had a ball.

k4g_VA:   Thank you SPARC for sponsoring this event -- my favorite Ham event of the year!

k4jjr_mobile:   1 or more contacts from: Fauquier, Prince William,  Total Mobile Bonus = 200

K4ZB:   I was a FIXED station LOW Power@ 50 WATTS

K7CS:   Did not hear many stations in VA.

K8IJ:   Great fun - thanks to all, especially the mobiles.  Vy 73.
 
K9RAF:   Rookie, first contest ever.....lot's of fun, looking forward to
K9RAF:   next yeat!

KA7HBH:   Sure do apprciate the efforts of the mobile operators! Great Job  by All

KB1WXM:   1 or more contacts from: Prince Edward, ,  Total Mobile Bonus = 200

KC3IZX:   I am 10 years old and was only able to make one contact. YOUTH

KD3GC:   Had a great time and wish I could have spent more time operating.

KD4QIT-fixed:   Should leave start/stop time like it was last year

KD4QIT-mobile:   1 or more contacts from: King William, King and Queen,  Total Mobile Bonus = 200
KD4QIT-mobile:   Need to leave the start/stop time the same as last year on saturday

KD8DEU:   Am a county hunter.

KE0TT:   K3/10 at 5 watts to an 88' dipole up about 45' fed with ladder line and a
KE0TT:   vintage Johnson Matchbox tuner.  Thanks for the party !  Bands were
KE0TT:   really pretty poor from MN this time, but slogged out 24 Q's. 
KE0TT:   Hope to C U next time.  73,  Dan  ke0tt

KE8EKM:   Had a lot of fun working my first state qso party. 
KE8EKM:   I enjoyed the serial number exchange format. 
KE8EKM:   I hope I've scored this correctly...

KE8GWC:   Enjoyed first QSO Party thanks and 73!
KE8GWC:   Icom 718, ground mounted Hustler 4BTV

KI4DHW:   FUN TIME HAD BY ALL

KJ4FUU:   Better luck next year, I hope. I need help setting up my CrankIR next year.

KJ4HMZ:   ALWAYS A GREAT TIME. MY FAVORITE QSO PARTY EVER.

KJ4OAP:   Well, this certainly wasn't the best VAQP I've ever run, but
KJ4OAP:   certainly a good fun one.  This was a bit of a test year as
KJ4OAP:   I was testing out some logging code I wrote and ran on a
KJ4OAP:   Raspberry Pi in the truck.  So, no more pen & paper and
KJ4OAP:   post-contest typing and calculating!  Also interesting that
KJ4OAP:   80m was a little strange this year where I could hear several
KJ4OAP:   stations, but no one could seem to hear me.  Glad that the
KJ4OAP:   APRS spectator map worked well (thanks Andy, K1RA, for setting
KJ4OAP:   that up!  Of my 112 multipliers, 79 were C&IC!  That's also a
KJ4OAP:   good number of the total for VA.  One day I'll catch 'em all
KJ4OAP:   in one weekend.  I'll be looking forward to seeing the QSO
KJ4OAP:   by C&IC map to see what percentage are from me in some places!
 
kk4uyx:   Thanks to everyone at SPARC for another great contest!
kk4uyx:   Can't wait till next year!

KK4ZUU-M:   1 or more contacts from: Fairfax, Prince William, Manassas Park, Manassas,
KK4ZUU-M:   Fairfax City, Falls Church, Arlington, Fauquier, Clarke, Loudoun, Frederick,
KK4ZUU-M:   Winchester, Warren, Rappahannock, Page, Madison,  Total Mobile Bonus = 1600

KK4ZUU-M:   Fourth year as a mobile out of five, my son and I enjoyed operating and
KK4ZUU-M:   logging your QSOs. 73, David & James

KM4NHN:   1 or more contacts from: Northumberland, Westmoreland,  Total Mobile Bonus = 200

KM4YLC:   1 or more contacts from: Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock, Warren,
KM4YLC:   Clarke, Frederick, Winchester,  Total Mobile Bonus = 700

KN4AUC:   I am a 9 year old operator in Woodbridge Wireless.
KN4AUC:   I have attached my call log and hope to do well in the Single Operator
KN4AUC:   Youth category. Please let me know if you have any questions. Thank you so much!

KN4CHI:   Age 12   YOUTH

KN4DUF:   My first VA QSO Party !!!   It was a lot of fun.

KN4Y:   Poor showing fixed CW  operators.

KS1G:   Great time getting back into the VA QSO Party after too many
KS1G:   years away, despite limited operating time. 
 
KT4OZ:   Operated 3/17 from Highland County. On 3/18, we relocated to Bath
KT4OZ:   County and attempted VHF operations but were unable to make contacts.

kv4xz_mobile:   1 or more contacts from: Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William, Loudoun,  Total Mobile Bonus = 400

kw4va:   Thanks to Jim W4RX for the use of his station!
kx4ku:   Thank you people at SPARC for sponsoring this contest!  It was a
kx4ku:   lot of fun.  I also learned some things too.  73

kx4o:   Another great year! Thanks SPARCy!!

N1AIA:   Fun one-band effort with Elecraft K1 and low dipole. Appreciate stations
N1AIA:   pulling weak signals out of the noise. Best thrill was giving new
N1AIA:   multiplier to stations with hundreds of QSOs in the log.

N1LO:   we need more participation on 160m. it opened nicely Sunday Night

N1NN:   10TH VIRGINIA QSO PARTY
 
N4JER:   ALWAYS LOADS OF FUN. THANKS

N5SMQ:   Had an AWESOME time as always!!!

N6DW:   Franklin County Amateur Radio Club
N6DW:   party.  I planned to play longer but the flu/cold knocked me out.
N6DW:    I didn't feel like joining until late Sunday, but I had a great
N6DW:   time and it made me feel better!

N8PSI:   Worked all QSO with 1 Mobile Station(BTech UV-25X4); Made wrong turn drove into
N8PSI:   WV & made 2 VA contacts before realizing where I wasn't in Virginia anymore.
N8PSI:   Radio stopped transmitting

N9DIJ:   Antenna is rain gutter and downspouts.

nb3a:   NB3A & KN4DWZ FIRST REAL ROVE TNX FER CONTEST 73.

NW3V:   ENJOYED THIS TOCCATA. USED KX3 AND INVERTED VEE.

W1END:   Low bands for me; heaard nothing on 20M. Good participation by VA.
W1END:   Rig was FTdx5000 and Butternut vertical.

W2UDT:   tnx to kj4oap/m for my last county in VA and to all the mobiles!
W2UDT:   Condx were bad here Saturday. Lots of QSB on sigs. CU next year! 73, W2UDT

W3TB:   W3TB is Expedition Station, CW only, QRP only

W4DOW:   Had Fun From WAS County Again.

W4JTP:   A struggle someimes on 40, but always fun.
W4JTP:   Let's do something about these condx for next year, OK? ;^)

W4LCY:   8 YEAR OLD Youth Operator

W4LID:   Jolly good show! 73 de W4LID.

W4WVP:   USED TS-2000X AND DIPOLE. THANKS FOR VQP!

W5TM:   Thanks for the QSOs.

W8KNO:   Sunday only.

W8TM:   Too many schedule conflicts, too much QRN at times.
WA4EUL:   Poor cdx on 40 both days; late start on Sun due to Shamrock Marathon
WA4EUL:   ARES participation; several old friends worked on 80 M
 
WC4R:   My first real entry after 40 years!

WD0FYV:   Band conditions were bad, hard to make contacts

WQ6X:   This was another ad-HOC WQ6X remote operation from NX6T.
WQ6X:   Most of the weekend was devoted to the BARTG RTTY contest
WQ6X:   and the Russian DX contest.  I tuned the bands every hour or so
WQ6X:   looking for VAQP stations and was disappointed in the usual POOR
WQ6X:   VA turnout for their own QSO party.  It seemed that there were 10x
WQ6X:   more stations looking for VA then there were VA stations to be had.
WQ6X:   How can we work new VA counties when we can't hear any stations?
WQ6X:   Look for a WQ6X Contest BLOG writeup about this at:
WQ6X:   WQ6X.Blogspot.Com