Until Paul NA5N starts posting some claimed scores it will be difficult to definitively gauge participation in QRPTTF 2026. However, if chatter on the QRP reflectors is any indication ..... not so great.
I've seen e-mails which seemed to imply that there were very few stations calling CQ QRP or CQ TTF. Most stations worked seemed to be either POTA or Florida QSO Party participanrs
This is kind of troubling as QRPTTF has always been a cornerstone QRP event. I don't know why participation seems to be dropping off. Possibilities might include that there are fewer CW operators around than there used to be, or perhaps the QRP Community is getting older and less likely to take to the field. There's also the possibility that FT8 has grown so popular as to become the preferred mode of choice now. As a rule, FT8 and other digital modes are prohibited in the QRP Sprints.
Which brings to mind another matter. Jody K3JZD has announced that photos and comments from FOBB 2025 have been posted to https://ars-qrp.com/ for your viewing pleasure.
Jody also announced that signups for FOBB 2026 will begin on June 21st.. As that's the First Day of Summer, it's also the date that signups for the NJQRP Skeeter Hunt commence. Just a friendly reminder that you'll have to sign up for both, individually. Signing up for FOBB does NOT automatically sign you up for the Skeeter Hunt and visa-versa.
72 de Larry W2LJ
QRP - When you care to send the very least!
Welcome back Larry!
ReplyDeleteCould be all sorts of reasons for the drop in interest, but I wouldn't be surprised if the "outdoor" specific events might suffer due to this being the 'Age of POTA' and at this point, there isn't much unique about operating from outdoors anymore?
Just a thought.
73 de Jeff KE9V
Thank you Larry. I enjoyed and then thought about your points.
ReplyDeleteFT8 and now 2 streams of FT2 FT4/FT8 stlr messaging with the potential to make hundreds of QSO per hour and you do not have to be concious. Super fun stuff ?? Us arthritic old geezers pounding on at key while freezing outside while the digital rigs breeze through it effortlessly. Let us hope this poor TTF is just a blip and not the trend.
Jeff's comment above is on the money. Outdoor QRP contests have been more or less rendered obsolete by POTA. Every time I start a POTA activation and the pile-up begins, I feel like I am creating my own contest "on the fly".
ReplyDelete73 de Mark AI4BJ