Many have raised very good points as to why /QRP should not be logged. I DO
log the /QRP, however, mainly because I tend to log whatever was sent in the
same manner in which it is sent, AND because there is no way I'm going to
remember to put the /QRP designator on a QSL card unless I have some record
to tell me to do so.
I guess another reason why I log /QRP is because I know that some people
will make contacts using different power levels...didn't someone enter the
CQWW SSB 160m Contest in two separate power categories? I know a couple of
DXers who will work a DXpedition on all bands and then go back and work the
same group as a /QRP station...I agree that it makes just as much sense to
sign /QRO, but also agree that it sometimes helps in making a
differentiation between the different contacts (and keeps the person from
looking like a LID who is bent on making numerous insurance contacts).
And another confession...I'm one of the ones guilty of telling the /QRP
station to go ahead, thus helping to encourage those who sign /QRP to
continue the practice. Why? Not because I feel sorry for the guy, but
because for some reason it stands out. The same applies to the station who
uses unique phonetics. Right or wrong, "Itchy Underwear" on SSB is usually
going to get through quicker than "India Uniform" (and I'm sure these words
will come back to haunt me in the next contest...). As "Quack" said, /QRP
is often the only thing you'll hear of a callsign. Annoying, perhaps, but
true. Someone slap my hand the next time you hear me call for the /QRP
station or when I answer the station sending only two letters of his/her
callsign...
Of course, I believe the original question concerned whether or not omitting
/QRP from a given callsign was considered a logging error, and it appears
that the answer is "No."
It would be interesting to see the numbers of /QRP designations in CW vs.
SSB...I think spending a weekend sending KS4YT/QRP on CW would drive me
crazy; especially when I think about the number of times that a station I'm
answering will have already worked someone in the time it takes to send
KS4YT at a slow 25 wpm.
I agree that the best place for this subject is on the QRP reflectors, and
I'd be interested in seeing the various opinions expressed there. I guess
if someone wanted to create a backlash against the practice of signing /QRP,
we could all start sending /QRO and see the reactions. Of course, then
we'd have to come up with an appropriate designation for those in the 50-200
watt range, wouldn't we (or is my ignorance showing)? =)
73,
Bridget, KS4YT/QRO/(X)YL/etc. :0)
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