Bill,
One important fact you are leaving out is that I proposed that there be
a HP and LP class in addition to the QRP class that presently exists.
If you still want to run 100 watts you can and compete against other
stations
running the same amount of power. I guarantee that those that have the
choice to run HP would switch over in a heartbeat. I guess I don't see why
this would "ruin" this contest.
Jeff
----- Original Message -----
From: "Bill Coleman" <aa4lr at arrl.net>
To: "ku8e" <ku8e at bellsouth.net>
Cc: <secc at contesting.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 21, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: [SECC] Fw: NAQP SSB KU8E Single Op HP
> Jeff, I'm going to take one more shot at this, and then I'll just have to
> agree to disagree, which I'm OK with.
>
> On Aug 21, 2007, at 9:02 PM, ku8e wrote:
>
>> I have to disagree with you guys. The stations with the big antenna
>> farms have even more of an advantage when conditions are marginal, like
>> they have been
>> the last couple years or so.
>
> True enough. So, in a couple of years, when conditions are better, the
> little guys will be doing well again.
>
>> It might be true that these stations have some lower antennas for
>> domestic contests but it makes a big difference having a bunch of yagis
>> high and clear in the air. Even running 100 watts these stations can
>> work people on backscatter on the higher bands (20-15-10 meters) That is
>> very difficult to do running an antenna like a dipole or some multiband
>> antenna like a center fed zepp at maybe 30-50 feet high. Plus many of
>> these big stations all have a yagi or even stacked yagis on 40 meters
>> and maybe some directional wire array on 80 meters and a good antenna on
>> 160.
>
> You don't have to be a "big station" to try to put up the best antennas
> you can. NAQP is one of the reasons I have antennas for 6 bands.
>
> I think you're mistaken about big antennas in domestic contests. During
> sunspot lows, perhaps, but when the bands are open, the low antennas
> rule.
>
>> Someone with a TH-6 at 60 ft and maybe a 2 el 40 above that can fare
>> better against these guys. Those of us like N4GG and myself that are
>> running wire antennas cannot.
>
> This is the part I don't understand. If everyone is nominally running 100
> watts, then the guys with wimpy antennas at least stand a fighting
> chance. If we suddenly allow kWs instead, then the guys with wimp
> antennas will be that much worse off -- because the noise floor will 12
> dB higher.
>
>> If you compare my station to a W9RE, who has multiple yagis on 40-10
>> meters plus an 80 meter beam and a good antenna it isn't even close to
>> being even. Do you call this a level playing field ?
>
> I never claimed that a 100 watt limit leveled the playing field.
> Radiosport is anything but a level playing field. Even at WRTC, it isn't
> level. (Closer, but not perfectly level)
>
> I just think that the 100 watt NAQP is a great contest, and allowing HP
> would ruin it. I'd feel the same way about making it 24 hours instead of
> the current 12.
>
>> Your antennas make all the difference in the world. Even if Scott ran a
>> kW to his mobile whips he still wouldn't be as loud as me running 100
>> watts because of his inefficient antennas.
>
> And both of you would be roasted by W9RE.
>
> Bill Coleman, AA4LR, PP-ASEL Mail: aa4lr at arrl.net
> Quote: "Not within a thousand years will man ever fly!"
> -- Wilbur Wright, 1901
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