QRP Afield - 2000
                             _________________

gang-

It's that time of year again- when a young man's thoughts turn to
....'QRP Afield'.  Cooler weather, fewer bugs, the smell of moose poop.
Never mind.

I'm pleased to announce this fall's 'QRP Afield' operating event . This is
the 'granddaddy' of the outdoor QRP events and is, well- just a heck of a
lot of fun!  Originally sponsored by the New England QRP Club, this one is
too good to miss, and it stays alive by popular demand.

In response to a number of comments I received last year about the need for
longer hours for improved nighttime and East-West communications, we'll open
up the window . Here it is:

When:         September 16 (Sat) 1800Z
                         -to-
              September 17 (Sun) 1800Z

Operate any eight (8) hours maximum out of that time interval.

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Where:    Any band, QRP frequencies suggested

Call:    'CQ QRP'- you know what to do!

Exchange: RST, State/Province/Country, Name

Scoring:

After last year's algebraic gymnastics, it's going to be simple this year:
Number of QSOs!

Power:  5W or less.

Although I expect folks will pretty much stick to CW, other modes are fine
as well. Contacts using voice and digital modes (no digipeaters) are fine
and count for extra QSOs- you may work someone once in each band using any
of the three categories (CW/voice/digital).

You may work stations again for credit on other bands.

Entry categories:

    -Home 

    -Portable. All antennas must be at least 500' from a fixed station
     location. Operating from your backyard while tied into your home
     station antenna does not count!

Multi-ops are fine- I'll simply list the extra operators in the summary.

Sunday Bonus:

    Starting 0700Z Sunday, portable stations out overnight
    (backpack/tent/RV) sign /P after their calls. After this time, work 
    only stations signing  /P.  These /P stations may work anyone.  
    Sunday is a 'fresh start'- these add to the QSO total.

Reporting:

    Summaries to me within 30 days after the event. This need consist only 
    of the real basics- name, call, where you were, and how many QSOs!  Logs 
    are optional.  If you run milliwatt power, note that and I'll put it in 
    the summary.

A big part of this event is the QRP-L 'soapbox' after the event.  I think
most of us enjoy reading the tales of adventure, the stories of good (or
bad) weather, the antennas that wound up draped through the bushes and that
cable you left at home!  Throw in rattlesnakes, bad coffee, etc.- we're
talking serious fun here!

73- Dave Benson, NN1G