I've got a question for #Hamradio / #Amateuradio folks who are also into #FT8.
When calling CQ running #QRP in FT8 and I want to specify that I'm running QRP, what is the "proper" format for the CQ message? Should it be "CQ QRP <callsign> <gridsquare>" or "CQ <callsign>/QRP <gridsquare>"?
My [possibly incorrect] understanding is that what you put after CQ is about whom you'd like to respond; what you put after your own call sign — with or without the slash — is about about. So:
- "CQ QRP {call sign} {grid}" means "I am calling from {grid} and wish to hear from low power stations."
- "CQ {call sign} QRP {grid}" mean "I am operating QRP from {grid} and wish to hear from anyone".
Happy to be corrected.
Isn't that the same thing? They're saying "calling all POTA stations, I'm <call> at <grid>", no?
I suspect that the POTA usage arose by analogy to the SOTA/IOTA use, overlooking the fact that POTA stations don't rely on respondents to upload logs, thereby inverting the meaning: in a POTA activation it's a statement about the calling station, not about the stations being sought.
What a mess.
@9v1rt I had read, but forgot, that SOTA chasers needed to submit logs for the activators to be validated. I've never seen a SOTA station on SSB or digital though, so I haven't had to worry about submitting my logs anywhere.
After thinking about my original question, I think it makes more sense to use the "CQ <call>/QRP" format when announcing that I'm specifically operating QRP. To me, that says "Anyone hear me? This is <call> and I'm QRP".
DCom - Serial Hobbyist ☕️
Roland Turner