CALIFORNIA DREAMING: N6MJ TRIES FOR CQP THREE-PEAT

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

After rumbling through Texas last weekend, the state QSO Party circuit shifts out West to the Golden State as the biggest state of all gears up for the 2007 California QSO Party.

Leading the competitors onto the bands will be Dan Craig N6MJ, who has been the top single operator from California the past two years.

"I will be trying hard for my third consecutive win," said Craig, who will again be operating from the station of W6YI (north of San Diego). "The competition is always tough, so I know it won't be easy."

"There is a lot of strategy involved in this contest," said Craig. "The biggest key is to keep moving. Never stay in one spot for too long. Once the rate starts to slow down a little, it's time for a new band/mode."

The out of state defending champ is Ken Meier W8MJ, who has won that title three times from Michigan.

It is expected that all 58 California counties will be active this year, even with the somewhat depressed solar conditions.

"We've looked back at 10 years of stats and found that the number of logs hasn't decreased with sunspots," said CQP organizer Kevin Rowett K6TD.

One major difference between the California QSO Party and other state events is the smaller number of mobiles plying the roads.

"Mobiles are in a tough way to operate in the CQP," said Rowett.

"We usually have two or three surprise mobiles (but there's) no hint that's going to happen this year," said Rowett, who was predicting as few as just one mobile on the Golden State roads.

As for strategy for those operating the CQP, Craig N6MJ says one "key is to make as many CW contacts as possible," since CW QSO's count for 3 points, while SSB QSO's are only two points.

"As long as the rate is 100-plus on CW, it's a good idea to stay there. Of course there are more stations to work on SSB, so you have to maintain a mix of both," said Craig.

Craig's basic strategy almost seems like a road map for some other big contests in coming weeks.

"At this point in the cycle, 20 meters will most likely see most of the action. However, in order to make a big score we need a decent 15 meter opening."

"It's important to keep checking 15 and 10," says Craig. "If those bands do open up, it gives you an opportunity to work all the regulars one more time. This adds up in the long run."

One thing that definitely sets the California QSO Party apart from others is the effort that goes into getting operators on the air.

"Starting in late August, we begin by sending out a paper invitation to those we can't reach by email, or have submitted paper logs, said Rowett K6TD.

Then in September, CQP organizers like Rowett send out emails to other past entrants. "We keep a database of everyone that has participated in the contest."

What the CQP may be best known for though is the prize for contest winners.

"WK6I, owner of the Twisted Oak Winery, will be supplying a 2004 vintage of his Murgatroyd," said Rowett. "It's really rather good!"