[qrp-canada] Ontario and Florida QSO parties

[Robert MacKenzie]

     It seems that Jeff's (VA3JFF now also VE3CW) appeal in early March for more QRPers in QRP ARCI contests has borne fruit. I see that in the new Grid Square event that 20% of the logs were from Canada (Ontario) and about 15% of the posted logs for the QSO Party were Ontario. I suspect that the VA7s and VO1 I worked will also show up soon. That's a high percentage of QRP entrants from Canada. But it would be great to have more provinces represented.

    The Ontario QP (HF and VHF) is this weekend. Last year the conditions were terrible, with a major magnetic storm wiping out almost all the bands on Saturday. Some solar wind is predicted for Saturday on the NOAA site, but propagation should be better this year. Only 2 Ontario QRPers were listed in the results for 2006. A few more would help promote Ontario to the rest of the world. If you are going to be on for even a few contacts, it's good to tell Don VE3XD and he will post your call and QTH on the OnQP website (see below). There is a downloadable DOS logger on the site as well. I will use the freeware General Logger, although I'm not sure that the organizers have sent in updates for 2007.

    The Florida QP is in 10 days. It is well-organized and friendly contest, and it helps a lot that North-South paths are easier to work from Eastern Canada during these sunspot doldrums. I had a great time working the mobiles time after time as they drove through the various counties. With 100 watts and whips, their mobile signals were at QRP levels, but I rarely had trouble working them. Best of all, the FQP offers a 3 times QRP power multiplier, in addition to a 2X CW mult. Makes our little signals a bit more competitive. The FQP gives out lots of certificates too. They have a logging website link if you want to type in your info (the usual www.b4h.net/cabforms/ site that has many contest logging forms available for entry of contest QSOs). The N3FJP software works for free for up to 30 QSOs for many contests, so it can be downloaded and used if you are not exceeding that amount.

    Hope to hear you on!

Bob VA3RKM (Ottawa)
*********************************

Hi folks,

Well there has been a good response to my last email and the county list
with no ops is getting shorter. Still a number to go. What say everyone even
if you can only be on for a short time.

Algoma District
Brant County
City of Brantford
Bruce County
Dufferin County
Elgin County
Grey County
City of Hamilton
Kenora District
City of Chatham-Kent
Leeds-Grenville County
Muskoka District
Nipissing District
Norfolk County
Oxford County
Prince Edward County
Rainy River District
City of Greater Sudbury
Timiskaming District

Please provide your call sign, name and county. Thanks to all who have
already reported their plans.

73, Don VE3XD
ve3xd at rogers.com

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