ELECRAFT QSO PARTY (EQP) RULES AND FAQ
Revision date: March 9, 2005
Please DO NOT call or e-mail
Elecraft regarding EQP. Post questions
to our email reflector. Thanks!
EQP Logging Software:
Writelog (version
10.53 upgrade includes EQP support)
Windows
Version by Toby, DJ7MGQ
For
Palm OS: Email n1zsw@hotmail.com
Rules:
Object:
To have fun, work old and new friends, and optionally collect some Elecraft
rig serial numbers. Open to everyone--no Elecraft rig required.
When:
1500z March 12 to 1500z March 13, 2005 (second full weekend in March.).
You can operate any number of hours during this period.
Bands:
Use 160, 80, 40, 20, 15, and 10 m ONLY.
Suggested
frequencies:
CW: 1805-1815 (EU: 1830-1850),
3530-3540, 7030-7040, 14050-14060, 21050-21060, 28050-28060
SSB: 1845-1855and 1905-1915, 3850-3900 (EU 3750-3800),
7250-7300 (EU 7050-7100), 14250-14300, 21300-21350, 28300-28350
Digital:
·
PSK31: commonly-used
frequencies (e.g. near14070)
·
RTTY:
commonly-used frequencies *except* near 7040,which will be in very active use
by CW stations (many of them QRP)
Multiple Contacts with Same Station:
Each station can be worked on each mode and each band for QSO credit.
The three modes are CW, SSB, and digital.
Exchange:
Elecraft rig users: RST, name, rig, serial # (e.g. "559
Others: RST, name, and power output (e.g. "599 BOB 15 W").
QSO Points:
SSB:
3 points per QSO made using 10 W or less
1 point per QSO made using over 10 W
CW/Digital Modes:
3 points per QSO made using 5 W or less
2 points per QSO made using over 5 W and up to 15 W
1 point per QSO made using over 15 W
(Please limit
power output to 100 watts, max. )
QSO points are based on YOUR power output at the time of each QSO. You can
change your power at anytime.
ALL QSOs COUNT for credit, even if neither party is using an Elecraft rig for a
given QSO.
Score:
Simply add up your QSO Points. (No multipliers, no categories.)
Submission Info:
Include:
1.
Name
2.
Callsign
3.
State/Province/Country
4.
Score
5.
Rig type (see
below).
Send to: eqp@elecraft.com
before April 24, 2005.Also include any Soapbox comments, but no logs. (EQP is
based entirely on the honor system.)
RIG TYPE (optional): Users of both Elecraft and non-Elecraft gear are
encouraged to indicate what rig was used most often (based on # of QSOs made
with each).
Results, Fame, Glory:
Scores will be posted on the Elecraft and other reflectors by April 31. Scores
will be sorted from highest to lowest. State/Province/Country and rig type will
be included to allow further analysis of the results.
Additional Important Notes:
1.
Cross-mode
QSOs are OK; this is intended to
allow those with CW-only rigs (such as the K1 and KX1) to work additional
stations in SSB segments. But in all cases, your*transmit* mode is the
"mode" for the contact.
2.
Packet use is
encouraged during the contest. Feel
free to spot stations heard calling "CQEQP".
3.
Avoid nets and
Fists frequencies. When using QRP frequencies (e.g. 7040) use reduced power
whenever possible, or call and move off frequency.
4.
Have longer
QSOs(i.e., longer than an EQP
exchange) if you wish.
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Q: Do I need to use an Elecraft rig, or contact only stations so equipped?
A: No. But Elecraft rig users should send their
rig type and serial number.
Q: Is there any incentive to work stations who are using Elecraft
rigs?
A: Yes. Contest contacts count toward Elecraft
CC and WAS awards; see elecraft_awards for
details.
Q: How do I call CQ so people will know I'm participating?
A: CQ EQP.
Q: Can I work a station more than once per band?
A: Yes--up to 3 times (on CW, on SSB, and on a
digital mode).
Q: I use my
A: No. EQP is HF-only at present.
Q: What if I change power output during the contact?
A: That's OK; just score each QSO based on the
highest power level used during the QSO.
Q: Can I use more than one transceiver during the contest?
A: Absolutely! Experimentation with different
rigs, modes, and antennas is encouraged. Take the rig outside and usea random
wire. Invite a friend or family member to try making a contact. Make a few
Qs
from your couch using a KX1
Q: 24 hours? Seems awfully long for a QSO party.
A: We do this because of unavoidable overlaps with other contests. More
importantly, we want everyone (in all parts of the world) to have a good chance
at band openings.
Q: Is there software available?
A: See links at the top of the page.