Buckeyes fill the airwaves in 2007 Ohio QSO Party

By Jamie Dupree NS3T 

After a state QSO party warmup last weekend with the New Jersey QSO Party, county hunters and state contest lovers will be rewarded this weekend with a dual challenge from Ohio and Hawaii.

While the Hawaii QSO Party runs much of the weekend - from 0700 August 25 to 2200z on August 26 - the Ohio QSO Party will present its best frenetic pace for just 12 hours.

"There is real decision making involved," says Ohio QSO Party leader Jim Stahl K8MR. "Can you move mobiles for a new multiplier on the other mode? Can you find them during periods when propagation to your area is taking a dip?"

Stahl says he enjoys the fact that the Ohio contest is a single day event. "You don't have to tie up an entire weekend and you don't have to lose any sleep."

Defending in-state champs from 2006 include Joe Papworth K8MP, who won the Ohio High Power category and Paul Hurm N8OT who was the low power victor. N8IE won the QRP section.

"I will make the effort to win again," says Hurm N8OT, "but I think I got lucky last year."

Like many contesters, Hurm does not have a giant forest of antennas out on the back forty. "I also only run with dipoles," said Hurm, "I still have fun though a got a nice plaque for last year!"

Out of state winners were oddly enough not far from each other, as Paul Newberry N4PN made close to 400 contacts to win the high power section from Georgia.

"N4PN had 383 qso's in 12 hours, including 147 out of 176 possible mode-counties," said Stahl K8MR. "That is pretty impressive."

Not far away from N4PN, Jeff Clarke KU8E (who helped resuscitate the OQP) won the low power category in 2006. The QRP winner was Ed Fiore N4JF, who already has a good amount of wallpaper from contests in his shack.

"My first win in the Alabama QSO Party came in 1963" said Fiore, who told radio-sport.net that he has been contesting for over 50 years. "My award was signed by then Governor George Wallace."

Like last year, a number of mobiles will be zipping around the roads of the Buckeye State to offer contesters an extra challenge.

"We usually have teams from both in and out of state," said OQP organizer Pat Collins N8VW. "Last year we had 13 mobiles on...I expect at least 8 to 10 (this year) both full and part-time."

Another good turnout on the bands is fully expected this year. "KU8E picked this time of year back when he took the OQP over from the Buckeye Bells," said Collins. "It was a good choice."

About the only thing that might be a fly in the radio ointment is the bad solar conditions that have hampered many a contester in 2007.

"The low sunspot level has had an effect," said Stahl, "40 meters frequently has a skip zone that makes it difficult or impossible for qso's within Ohio."

The answer for those close to Ohio maybe to go to 80 meters. "Some of the fixed and rover stations seem to be trying that band during the day," said Collins N8VW.

While the Ohio QSO Party does not have a bonus station like some other state contests, Collins says one team's call may bring a chuckle this weekend.

"The John Kraus Memorial Radio Club will be on using W8JK/WOW. Hopefully, the mobiles won't have any alien encounters." More on them at www.w8jk.org .

The 2007 Ohio QSO Party runs from 1600Z August 25 to 0400Z August 26. More information at the Ohio QSO Party website.