Virginia
QSO Party
Musings
of Gordon, NQ4K
I am a relatively new ham with a small station. I run 40-50 watts from
a 25 year old Yaesu FT101ZD (I think one of the final amplifier tubes
is bad) thru 300 ohm transmission line to an 88 ft dipole made from old
stereo speaker wire. And of course, the antenna is oriented east west,
the wrong direction for the Virginia QSO Party.
How am I going to excel in this event? (I want one of those plaques but
of course I help run the event so I am not eligible, but I can dream.)
I will:
Maybe run in the digital modes. These were new plaques last year, but
there were no entries last year. Probably only be a few entries this
year. The big stations will be in mixed mode and therefore there is an
opportunity for a smaller station.
Consider doing an expedition. This year is the first year for the
Expedition plaque. Only 1 expedition entry last year. Maybe an
opportunity. I could take my radio, run off of battery power, throw a
wire over a tree and I have an expedition. Maybe two different QTHs,
one for each day.
Go to a county or independent city that had few QSOs last year. This
QTH will probably be in great demand. This analysis shows coverage from
last year (pdf,
MSpowerpoint).
18
Counties and Independent Cities has no QSOs last year. The 2006
Coverage page provides an indication of who has signed up
this
year. Even if I cannot get a plaque, I have an excellent
opportunity to get a certificate saying I was HIGH in this QTH.
Finally, I will work with my club to get all the club members to submit
a log. There are two HIGH CLUB plaques this year, one oriented toward
only Virginia QSOs. Maybe with one
strong station and a few mobiles and
an expedition or two, my club could get all the Virginia multipliers
and
a lot of Virginia QSOs to win the
HIGH Virginia - Virginia QSOs Only
plaque.
Plenty of opportunity. Just have to get on the air.
73,
Gordon, NQ4K
[email protected]
Undated: 1 March
2006