The annual Georgia QSO Party will be this weekend, April 13 and 14, 2019.
Activity is on CW and SSB. Georgia has 159 counties, more than any state other than Texas. A number of mobile and rover stations will be QRV and each is a separate station for contest purposes every time they cross a county line. This is a fun contest and I hope many of you will be able to participate.
Do an internet search for 2019 Georgia QSO Party and you will find the home page with all information including rules, county abbreviations, log submissions info, suggested frequencies, and proposed county activity. Hope many of you can work new GA counties this weekend.
If you can, please pass this information to your local clubs. There is a great plaque award program and stations may enter either HP, LP, or QRP.
73, John, K4BAI
For SECC and SEDXC, the Sponsors of GQP
GQP Rules:
OBJECTIVE
For radio amateurs OUTSIDE of the state of Georgia to make contacts with as many Phone and/or CW Georgia stations in as many of the 159 Georgia counties as possible. Amateurs INSIDE the state of Georgia can make contacts with everyone.
CONTEST PERIOD
The Georgia QSO Party is held annually the second full weekend of April. There are two operating periods: 1800Z (2:00 pm EDST) Saturday until 0359Z (11:59 pm EDST) and Sunday and 1400Z (10:00 am EDST) to 2359Z. (7:59 pm EDST)
FREQUENCIES
Here are the suggested frequencies where GQP activity will take place:
SSB: 1.865, 3.810, 7.190, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450, 50.135.
CW: 1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045, 50.095.
Look for SSB activity on the hour and CW on the half hour.
CATEGORIES
SO Single Operator (SO) - One person performs all operating and logging functions. A Single Operator can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only.
Multi Operator - Single Transmitter (MS) - More than one person performs all operating and logging functions. Only one transmitter operating at any given time.
ROVER - Single Operator (RS) - A single Georgia mobile station with one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. It's suggested that a Single Operator ROVER should not drive when operating. Note that Georgia has enacted a distracted drivers law in 2018. While operating an amateur radio transceiver would be allowed under the law using a computer while doing this probably isn't allowed. If you decide to drive/operate at the same time we urge that you record the contest and transcribe it to a log later.
ROVER Multi Operator - (RM) - A single Georgia mobile station with more than one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Rovers with multiple operators and/or multiple simultaneously operated stations in the vehicle use the (RM) category.
A ROVER station may have a non contest operating driver, for safety, and remain in the Single Operator category. If the Rover driver operates at any time in the contest, that Rover is in the Multi Operator category and enters as (RM).
ROVER stations must move the entire operating site at least 100 yards into the new county. Operating from a county line isn't allowed.
It's suggested the ROVER stations send their callsign followed by a "/" and the Georgia county abbreviation. For example KU8E/HARR if I'm operating as a rover from Harris county.
A specific callsign can only be used at ONE FIXED location.
NOTE: ASSISTED OPERATION IS ALLOWED - Nets , RBN and spotting clusters are allowed for all categories. Self-spotting is also allowed. You don't need to submit your log as ASSISTED. Submit it as SINGLE-OP
CONTEST EXCHANGE
GEORGIA stations- Send signal report and County abbreviation. Georgia stations should call “CQ GQP”.
NON-GEORGIA US stations- Send signal report and STATE (U.S.P.S. abbreviation).
CANADA- Send signal report and Canadian PROVINCE (ARRL Zone abbreviation).
DX- Send signal report and "DX".
POWER CATEGORIES
QRP- Five (5) watts CW and 10 watts SSB, maximum.
Low Power- 150 watts, maximum.
High Power- Greater than 150 watts.
MODE CATEGORIES
Mixed- CW and SSB
SSB- Phone only contacts
CW- CW only contacts
SCORING
Stations may be worked once per band per mode for QSO Points.
Stations outside Georgia may not count contacts with non-Georgia or DX stations.
GEORGIA ROVER stations may be worked once per county, per mode, per band for QSO Points.
No cross mode contacts allowed.
No partial contact credit.
Each completed SSB contact counts one point.
Each completed CW contact counts two points.
Each multiplier may be counted once per mode. (Not per band)
Multipliers - Georgia Stations
Each USA State and DC, including Georgia (51)
Each Canadian Province (13)
DX counts for QSO points only, there are no country multipliers.
128 possible multipliers.
Multipliers - Non-Georgia Stations
Each Georgia county (159)
318 possible multipliers.
Final Score -Multiply total QSO points by total multipliers.
CLUB COMPETITION
If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited to that club.
Rovers may submit scores for any club, including out of state clubs.
CABRILLO FILE SPECIFICATION
If you are a software developer creating a logging program this is the Cabrillo format we would like your program to generate.
Here is an example of what it should look like using KU8E as the callsign.
START-OF-LOG: 3.0
LOCATION: GA
CALLSIGN: KU8E
CLUB: South East Contest Club
CONTEST: GA-QSO-PARTY
CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP or MULTI-OP
CATEGORY-MODE: MIXED or CW or PH
CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH or LOW or QRP
CATEGORY-STATION: FIXED or ROVER
CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE
CLAIMED-SCORE: 42450
OPERATORS: KU8E
NAME: Radio Contester
ADDRESS: 1 Main Street
ADDRESS-CITY: Columbus
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: GA
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 31901
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
EMAIL: gqp@gqp.com
CREATED-BY: N1MM Logger+ 1.0.6164.0
QSO: 14000 CW 2016-04-09 1805 KU8E 599 HARR AA3B 599 PA
END-OF-LOG:
LOG SUBMISSION
All electronic logs must be submitted in a Cabrillo format.
Log filenames should be: “Your Callsign.LOG”.
Omission of class or power category will automatically default to the highest class/power for that category.
If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited
Rovers may submit a single consolidated Cabrillo file with a claimed score of the entire operation. A single Cabrillo file is the preferred entry for a Rover, and individual county files are not needed in this case. ROVER stations should merge their individual county Cabrillo files into one file.
Entries are due no later than two weeks after the QSO Party weekend.
Please you submit your entry on the Georgia QSO Party Log Submission page on the GQP webpage.
Received logs will be listed on the Georgia QSO Party Logs Received page as soon as possible after receipt.
Paper logs can be submitted to
John Laney, K4BAI
P.O. Box 421
Columbus, GA. 31902-0421
While we do still accept paper logs (they account for less than 1% of the logs we receive) it would be greatly appreciated if you would download one of the free logging programs and use it. (either N1MM Logger + or GQPLog) You don't have to use all the functionally of these programs such as interfacing your radio to the program. Both of these programs are easy to use. Then K4BAI won't have to manually enter your log into a program.
Activity is on CW and SSB. Georgia has 159 counties, more than any state other than Texas. A number of mobile and rover stations will be QRV and each is a separate station for contest purposes every time they cross a county line. This is a fun contest and I hope many of you will be able to participate.
Do an internet search for 2019 Georgia QSO Party and you will find the home page with all information including rules, county abbreviations, log submissions info, suggested frequencies, and proposed county activity. Hope many of you can work new GA counties this weekend.
If you can, please pass this information to your local clubs. There is a great plaque award program and stations may enter either HP, LP, or QRP.
73, John, K4BAI
For SECC and SEDXC, the Sponsors of GQP
GQP Rules:
OBJECTIVE
For radio amateurs OUTSIDE of the state of Georgia to make contacts with as many Phone and/or CW Georgia stations in as many of the 159 Georgia counties as possible. Amateurs INSIDE the state of Georgia can make contacts with everyone.
CONTEST PERIOD
The Georgia QSO Party is held annually the second full weekend of April. There are two operating periods: 1800Z (2:00 pm EDST) Saturday until 0359Z (11:59 pm EDST) and Sunday and 1400Z (10:00 am EDST) to 2359Z. (7:59 pm EDST)
FREQUENCIES
Here are the suggested frequencies where GQP activity will take place:
SSB: 1.865, 3.810, 7.190, 14.250, 21.300, 28.450, 50.135.
CW: 1.815, 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045, 28.045, 50.095.
Look for SSB activity on the hour and CW on the half hour.
CATEGORIES
SO Single Operator (SO) - One person performs all operating and logging functions. A Single Operator can be Mixed, SSB Only or CW Only.
Multi Operator - Single Transmitter (MS) - More than one person performs all operating and logging functions. Only one transmitter operating at any given time.
ROVER - Single Operator (RS) - A single Georgia mobile station with one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. It's suggested that a Single Operator ROVER should not drive when operating. Note that Georgia has enacted a distracted drivers law in 2018. While operating an amateur radio transceiver would be allowed under the law using a computer while doing this probably isn't allowed. If you decide to drive/operate at the same time we urge that you record the contest and transcribe it to a log later.
ROVER Multi Operator - (RM) - A single Georgia mobile station with more than one operator that operates from at least two (2) different Georgia counties and making at least one (1) contact from each county. Rovers with multiple operators and/or multiple simultaneously operated stations in the vehicle use the (RM) category.
A ROVER station may have a non contest operating driver, for safety, and remain in the Single Operator category. If the Rover driver operates at any time in the contest, that Rover is in the Multi Operator category and enters as (RM).
ROVER stations must move the entire operating site at least 100 yards into the new county. Operating from a county line isn't allowed.
It's suggested the ROVER stations send their callsign followed by a "/" and the Georgia county abbreviation. For example KU8E/HARR if I'm operating as a rover from Harris county.
A specific callsign can only be used at ONE FIXED location.
NOTE: ASSISTED OPERATION IS ALLOWED - Nets , RBN and spotting clusters are allowed for all categories. Self-spotting is also allowed. You don't need to submit your log as ASSISTED. Submit it as SINGLE-OP
CONTEST EXCHANGE
GEORGIA stations- Send signal report and County abbreviation. Georgia stations should call “CQ GQP”.
NON-GEORGIA US stations- Send signal report and STATE (U.S.P.S. abbreviation).
CANADA- Send signal report and Canadian PROVINCE (ARRL Zone abbreviation).
DX- Send signal report and "DX".
POWER CATEGORIES
QRP- Five (5) watts CW and 10 watts SSB, maximum.
Low Power- 150 watts, maximum.
High Power- Greater than 150 watts.
MODE CATEGORIES
Mixed- CW and SSB
SSB- Phone only contacts
CW- CW only contacts
SCORING
Stations may be worked once per band per mode for QSO Points.
Stations outside Georgia may not count contacts with non-Georgia or DX stations.
GEORGIA ROVER stations may be worked once per county, per mode, per band for QSO Points.
No cross mode contacts allowed.
No partial contact credit.
Each completed SSB contact counts one point.
Each completed CW contact counts two points.
Each multiplier may be counted once per mode. (Not per band)
Multipliers - Georgia Stations
Each USA State and DC, including Georgia (51)
Each Canadian Province (13)
DX counts for QSO points only, there are no country multipliers.
128 possible multipliers.
Multipliers - Non-Georgia Stations
Each Georgia county (159)
318 possible multipliers.
Final Score -Multiply total QSO points by total multipliers.
CLUB COMPETITION
If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited to that club.
Rovers may submit scores for any club, including out of state clubs.
CABRILLO FILE SPECIFICATION
If you are a software developer creating a logging program this is the Cabrillo format we would like your program to generate.
Here is an example of what it should look like using KU8E as the callsign.
START-OF-LOG: 3.0
LOCATION: GA
CALLSIGN: KU8E
CLUB: South East Contest Club
CONTEST: GA-QSO-PARTY
CATEGORY-OPERATOR: SINGLE-OP or MULTI-OP
CATEGORY-MODE: MIXED or CW or PH
CATEGORY-POWER: HIGH or LOW or QRP
CATEGORY-STATION: FIXED or ROVER
CATEGORY-TRANSMITTER: ONE
CLAIMED-SCORE: 42450
OPERATORS: KU8E
NAME: Radio Contester
ADDRESS: 1 Main Street
ADDRESS-CITY: Columbus
ADDRESS-STATE-PROVINCE: GA
ADDRESS-POSTALCODE: 31901
ADDRESS-COUNTRY: UNITED STATES
EMAIL: gqp@gqp.com
CREATED-BY: N1MM Logger+ 1.0.6164.0
QSO: 14000 CW 2016-04-09 1805 KU8E 599 HARR AA3B 599 PA
END-OF-LOG:
LOG SUBMISSION
All electronic logs must be submitted in a Cabrillo format.
Log filenames should be: “Your Callsign.LOG”.
Omission of class or power category will automatically default to the highest class/power for that category.
If your club is indicated in your submission, your score will be automatically credited
Rovers may submit a single consolidated Cabrillo file with a claimed score of the entire operation. A single Cabrillo file is the preferred entry for a Rover, and individual county files are not needed in this case. ROVER stations should merge their individual county Cabrillo files into one file.
Entries are due no later than two weeks after the QSO Party weekend.
Please you submit your entry on the Georgia QSO Party Log Submission page on the GQP webpage.
Received logs will be listed on the Georgia QSO Party Logs Received page as soon as possible after receipt.
Paper logs can be submitted to
John Laney, K4BAI
P.O. Box 421
Columbus, GA. 31902-0421
While we do still accept paper logs (they account for less than 1% of the logs we receive) it would be greatly appreciated if you would download one of the free logging programs and use it. (either N1MM Logger + or GQPLog) You don't have to use all the functionally of these programs such as interfacing your radio to the program. Both of these programs are easy to use. Then K4BAI won't have to manually enter your log into a program.