N8SS Takes Aim at Three Straight Wins in 2008 Michigan QSO Party

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted April 14, 2008

After a tour around the state of Georgia last weekend, the state QSO Party circuit lands in the Midwest, with the 2008 running of the Michigan QSO Party.

The man to beat again in the Wolverine State is the two time defending champion Earl Morse N8SS.

"I almost broke the state record last year," said Morse, "this year is for the hat trick."

Morse says there are no secrets to doing well in a state QSO parties. He handed out a couple of tips to radio-sport.net in terms of strategy that he uses for the MiQP.

1) Call CQ! "Unfortunately it doesn't work as well for out of state stations."

2) Operate the entire contest period.

3) Work both modes and all bands.

4) Move multipliers and stations when you can.

"I have started operating SO2R," said Morse, "and it allows me to search the other bands while CQing an active band."

"A high score can be turned in by just calling CQ and keeping your butt in the chair for the entire contest," said the defending MiQP champ.

For those looking for Michigan stations, the strategy is obviously a bit different, but one that's very familiar.

Follow the mobiles, like Jim Stahl K8MR.

"For the serious guys, it is a real challenge to keep track of a bunch of mobiles changing counties (read 'new multipliers') every 30 minutes or so, while still trying to run the casual guys, especially on SSB," says Stahl, the defending multi-op rover champ.

"In those contests like Michigan where multipliers are by mode, moving guys becomes important. But still it is not the cutthroat frequency fighting world of many of the 'big' contests," added Stahl.

"And you can do an entire contest without killing an entire weekend, or even losing any sleep."

K8MR will again be driving from Ohio to Michigan to go mobile in the MiQP, as he plans to cover about two dozen counties.

"I usually err on the side of intending more counties that I actually get to, but figure that's better than starting at the state line signs with an hour to go!" says Stahl.

While K8MR and others rumble down the Wolverine State roadways, Morse N8SS will be doing his best for a three-peat.

"80 meters has been a big band for us lately because 40 meters has been too long during the day," says Morse. "I have worked most of Michigan counties on 80m the past two years."

Morse also does something that maybe more contesters might want to think about at times.

"I also try to QRB - QRB? Would you like to work all the bands? - especially with strong local stations since that is a fast 10 QSO's," says Morse.