FAQ

Most current contest logging programs automatically generate a Cabrillo log file. This is a “standard” format that includes all the required logging information and is the log file which should be submitted to the contest sponsor. Using a standard format makes the log checking process easier. You can find more information on the Cabrillo file format here.

We’ve resisted including 80 Meters in the FQP for a number of reasons. First, we wanted the FQP to be more than a regional QSO Party. Any activity on 80M is likely to be regionalized. Secondly, we wanted the mobiles to be on equal footing. Erecting a mobile antenna for 80M is non-trivial, especially one that tunes on both modes. Thirdly, there are only 2 hours of darkness in Florida out of the 20 operating hours. In higher sunspot years, 20 Meters remains open the entire time and it’s hard enough to get people to move to 40 for a little while, let alone 80. We don’t want to change the rules several times each sunspot cycle to accommodate the conditions of that period. Fourth, we actually have some empirical evidence. We included 80 Meters in 1998, the first running. Activity levels there were dismal. I believe we took a survey after that event and the vast majority voted to remove 80 Meters.

Each line score reflects the number of valid QSOs. Penalties are then subtracted before calculating the final score. The numbers will only “add up” correctly for stations with “golden logs”, i.e, no pen

Results are usually available in March or April. They will be posted on the FQP web site as soon as they are available.

There is no limit on band changes. Stations may change bands/modes as often as they li

Unique contacts are not removed from your FQP entry if they are deemed to be a valid callsign/QTH combination (and not a busted callsign or QTH).

If you made most of your contacts on one mode and a few on the other mode, we can take your full log and enter only your desired single-mode entry as a competitive entry and the contacts on the other mode as a check log. Please do not make contacts on the other mode and NOT submit at least a check log, though. You run the risk of causing a not-in-log entry for the folks you contacted on the other mode.

The “Mobile Window” is a set of frequencies set aside exclusively for the mobiles to operate in. Home stations, except those answering mobile stations, should avoid calling CQ or “running” in the “Mobile Window”, in order to avoid interfering with the mobile stations.

Frequencies to avoid, are: CW 7.025-7.035, 14.040-14.050, 21.040-21.050, 28.040-28.050 MHz - SSB: 7.230-7.240, 14.265-14.275