Objectives
The 30CW QSO Party has the following objectives:
- Increase 30m CW activity and especially at the top end 10126-10130
- Increase Standard QSO activity (RSN, Name, QTH, Ant, PWR, Key)
- Increase awareness of all CW clubs (QTT followed by Club and Membership Number)
- Increase awareness of noise levels and their impact on amateur radio communication
- Make use of RSN as a more useful and interesting report system and 77 greetings
Participation
Any amateur radio station permitted use of 30m CW can participate. Those who do not belong to any CW Club can also participate without use of QTT. All permitted powers are applicable.
Time
At any time, although the focus times are 30 minutes past the hour - think 30m, 30 minutes. If you'd normally be on 40m or 20m, give 30m a go, especially after the half hour mark.
TOP 5
Use of the TOP5 (10126 to 10130) is encouraged, although any part of the 30m band can be used. QRP stations are encouraged to use 10126 for calling and QRO stations are asked to avoid calling CQ on 10126 but to listen carefully for QRP stations and reply to them instead.
QSO Format
This is not a contest and there are no prizes. This is normal QSO activity of any duration but NOT of the "5NN TU" style. To allow for international contacts and to encourage newcomers to CW, the "Standard QSO" format with a few additional recommendations: Exchanges should include an honest signal report (ideally RSN, see below), name, QTH, QTT followed by Club(s) and Membership Number(s), and on the second over PWR, ANT, KEY before closing with "77".
RSN Report
In today's world of HF amateur radio communication the T for tone quality report in the RST system, is superfluous. A more meaningful N for the current local noise level (S1-S9) can be included in an RSN report. The use of RSN aids in understanding the impact of noise at the remote station relative to your signal strength as well as the growing problem of RF noise levels around the world.
Summary
30m QSO Party any day any time but particularly 30 minutes into the hour on 30m in CW in the TOP5 (10126-10130). Normal CQ calling, no awards, no points, just Quality Telegraphy Time. QSO should include honest (ideally RSN) signal report, name, QTH, "QTT" followed by any previous amateur or other service callsign used, or any CW club your are a member of along with your membership number, e.g: "QTT FISTS12345 30CW678". On the next over you may send PWR, ANT and type/model of key. RSN is encouraged for signal reports, where "N" is your local noise level from 1-9, as this provides a meaningful understanding in todays context of noise levels and their impact on HF radio communication. End QSO with "77" meaning "Long Live CW! Wishing you many happy CW QSO!".