Another Double Shot State QSO Party Weekend With Oklahoma and Wisconsin On Tap

By Jamie Dupree NS3T  radio-sport.net 
Posted March 3, 2008

After a late February weekend that included North Carolina and Mississippi in the state QSO party spotlight, that focus shifts this time to the north and west, with 2008 state tests from Wisconsin and Oklahoma.

"This year's running will likely not match last year's barn burner when we had the advantage of Oklahoma celebrating 100 years of statehood," says OKQP director Jerry Chouinard K5YAA. "Participation doubled in 2007 from 2006!"

Much of that was due to Oklahoma ops getting special 1x1 calls with an emphasis on letters that spelled out Oklahoma.

"The results were almost overwhelming," Chouinard told radio-sport.net. "At times I wondered if I had outdone myself by suggesting we celebrate the Centennial during the QSO Party."

Chouinard says he's taken a page from the Florida QSO Party playbook when it comes to beating the bushes to get people on the air for the OKQP.

"I sent post cards to approximately 200 Oklahoma operators reminding them to get on the air," said Chouinard, who is again optimistic about outside mobiles getting involved as well.

"I have indications we will have a number of visitors from Texas, Tennessee and likely Kansas."

One of those mobiles will be Chouinard and his wife Carol K5YAB.

"Last year Carol and I made 24 counties even with vehicle difficulty. This year I will attempt at least that many."

The mobile presence will be just as important in Wisconsin as well, where a record number of logs were also submitted last year.

"It's really a great format and in the case of the WIQP, the group that organizes it does an excellent job," says Fred Helmstetter N9FH, who was the overall winner for a second time in 2007.

"Mobiles are the heart and soul of this contest and if you want to score well you need to pay attention to what they're doing," said Helmstetter.

"There are some very talented operators that go mobile every year and cover a lot of counties. They really add to the fun for everyone that participates."

If you want to gun for something other than a category victory, maybe it might be working the most counties. In the Wisconsin QP last year, it was Badger State native Fred Laun K3ZO who racked up 59 WI counties.

Current band conditions of course have made things a bit tougher for all contests, state QSO parties included.

"My guess is that the serious operators will be watching 80m this year," said Helmstetter.

Of course, behind every contest are those who promote and organize it. The OKQP's K5YAA admits "it is a lot of work" to keep things on schedule.

"I was asked after last year's contest, 'What's next year?'"

"It's like most anything else in life. Work, work and more work," he said.

Only half in jest, Chouinard suggested that maybe it's time for a State QSO Party version of the World Radiosport Team Championships.

"Maybe we rent 10 like vans, install 10 like mobile set ups and have the 20 top mobile operators in the country meet in Tulsa for a few days and then run pre-determined routes to determine the best QSO Party operators in the country!"