[MiQP-Mail] MiQP Frequencies

[David Pruett]

The official MiQP rules give suggested frequencies for operating the 
contest;

CW – 3.545, 7.045, 14.045, 21.045 and 28.045. SSB – 3.800, 7.200, 
14.250, 21.300 and 28.450.

There seems to be a misconception with some amateurs that these are the 
only frequencies where MiQP QSOs can be made. We want to make it clear 
that these suggested frequencies are merely recommendations, intended as 
advice where to find other stations working MiQP. For example, if you're 
on 40M phone, there is no reason you can't make a MiQP QSO on 7.297 up 
high in the band. However, you'll likely find more stations actively 
working MiQP on phone around 7.200 MHz.

To be perfectly clear, any frequency in the 80M-10M ham bands may be 
used to make MiQP QSOs, subject to rule 8.b which says:

No cross-mode contacts. Both stations must be using the same mode of 
transmission. Also, CW contacts must be made in the CW portions of the band.

Someone pointed out on the MiQP-Mail reflector that CW QSOs are legal 
anywhere in the band. While this is true, the intent of rule 8.b is to 
have MiQP QSOs occur in the parts of the band where QSOs on that mode 
generally occur. To clarify this point, the intent of the statement "CW 
contacts must be made in the CW portions of the band" is that CW QSOs 
occur on a frequency below the lowest allowable phone frequency within 
that band. No rocket science here - just common sense.

With low sunspots and the liklihood of 80M/75M being crucial to making 
MI-to-MI QSOs, a suggestion for 75M SSB is that it might be useful for 
stations to look at the bottom of the phone band (i.e., just above 3.600 
MHz) for mobile stations. The typical 80M/75M mobile whip has a very 
narrow SWR bandwidth, so if it's set for CW it likely will not be usable 
up at the recommended 3.800 MiQP frequency. It is inconvenient for the 
mobile ops to stop and get out to re-adjust their whip to the 3.800 
frequency (then repeat the task to move back to CW later) but some may 
be able to stretch their SWR bandwidth just enough to reach above 3.600.

So while operating on 75M, an occasional listen down at the bottom end 
of the band might be rewarded with a QSO with a mobile station in a rare 
county. Again, just a suggestion.

73,

MiQP Committee