[CQ-Contest] Signing /QRP In Contests

[Eric Hilding <dx35@hilding.com>]

[SIGH...]

While I admire those who take on the challenge of 5w in a DX contest (or 
any other NON-QRP-Specific) event, these are my observations (and 
FRUSTRATIONS) of working stations that sign "callsign/QRP" instead of just 
their calls...especially in the ARRL CW DX Contest as DX in February and 
most recently in last weekend's 160m contest:

*** ADVANTAGES:         Absolutely NONE

*** DISADVANTAGES:      MANY (below)

1. The QSOs take longer regardless of signal strength because each side of 
the exchange has to send 4 UN-NECESSARY additional characters.

2. If the QRP op's signal is weak, in QRM that means more UN-NECESSARY 
frustration and wasted time for the receiving op.

3. More UN-NECESSARY characters to type on the keyboard increases the 
possibilities of missssssstyping errors.

4. For those using TRlog with the Auto Send Character Count set to 5 (and 
certainly 4), the #&^! (and UN-NECESSARY) "/QRP" extension is the 
[explicative deleted].

*** REALITY CHECKS:

1. Making more QSOs and working more Mults in the allowed time is (or 
should be) everyone's goal.

2. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.

3. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.

4. No one really cares (especially DX stations) if you are QRP.

(Redundancy intentional)

I've operated 5w in several "Spartan Sprint" events, but don't recall 
anyone there every signing "/QRP".  Interesting.

IMHO, DX Contest Organizers (even for the SS) should include the following 
in published rules:

"QRP stations are encouraged NOT to add "/QRP" to their callsigns, because 
this serves no purpose other than to slow down everyone's QSO per hour 
rates, increase errors and the bottom line (especially for DX stations) is 
that nobody really cares during the contest."

73...

Rick, K6VVA

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