NEQP dates for 2010?

Change NEQP dates for 2010?

Several people suggested there were too many other contests on the first weekend of May, so we took a look at the second one and asked for input.
We asked -- For 2010, we're considering a move to the 2nd weekend in May. What do you think?

Here are the comments received:

The 7 area QSO party running concurrently makes it interesting. Some like to work both contests... but most logging software does not make that easy. (I say just run two computers!). In theory, move to the second weekend would conflict with NV and OR QSO party which would have a smaller impact.
http://home.online.no/~janalme/USQP.html (Every weekend is _somebody_'s contest so it is impossible to avoid conflicts with everybody.)

Even though the though of working two contests (7 area and us) simultaneously, it would be better, probably, if somebody moves to the next weekend. If that's us, that's fine. It would probably make lots of people happy.

The only caveat I have is that puts us very close to Dayton. So, guys who want to play in the QSO party would then be piling in the car just a few days later to head to Dayton. For some XYLs that might be too much. At least with running it the first weekend we've got a whole non-radio weekend between the contest and Dayton. I like to call such things, "Peace in our time." That's my thinking. Again, congratulations on running a great event.

All for the date change.... I am too tired after 2 days at Nearfest to participate when I get home

I can see reasons for it, but would miss trying to run five contests more or less at once... You might actually see participation drop off some too, with the cross contest logging.

I like it! Seems like I always have something the last weekend in April (International Marconi Day, QRPTTF, my birthday!) so it's hard to turn around and tie up the very next weekend for another event. So 2nd weekend in May would typically be a much better weekend for me!!

Good point on Mother's Day, but I think you may be looking at a number of years to re-establish on a new weekend. Think Easter weekend hurts the GaQP to some degree, probably the same for CQ WW DX CW (unless you're going on DXpedition, then it may help hihi)

I would love to see this contest move away from the ARI and 7QP. By the time NEQP comes on, everyone who only wants to keep one log is already locked into another contest. I wouldn't mind seeing the contest go to only being one day (Sat or Sun). First weekend of June isn't a bad day for a contest either. Weather and scenery would be better. Kids are still in school so people are still in the routine.

At first thought it appears a good move... Does Mother's day always hit on the 2nd Sunday? You might lose some who take Mom out for dinner. As it is now some folks coming home from NearFest might not feel up to getting on the rig.

Yes, please, please move the NEQP to 2nd weekend of May next year. The first weekend is overbooked! Easter put the hurting on GQP this year. I was not on that day, traveling ironically to GA, but the consensus was much lower activity that day. My wife's family usually has a picnic Mother's day, but the NEQP would give me a good excuse, Hi! Either 1 or 2 days is fine with me. The 2 day is a bit drawn out, and having the contest period until 05Z is too late
for me and the mobiles.

Moving to the second weekend in May seems like a bad idea to me since it conflicts with Mother’s Day. You could get away with a one-day event.

If that falls on Mother's Day, that would get me into a lot of trouble!

I understand that it must be awful trying to find a "clear" weekend these days, and also admit that I am not a veteran NEQP contester... so perhaps my input is invalid. BUT - Sunday of the second weekend in May is Mother's Day. Definitely NOT a day on which I could retreat to my ham shack and declare that I am running a contest. ;-(

Moving NEQP to a later date does not appeal to me. Odds are that it will be hotter weather. This impacts the mobile operators. Let's stay with the W7's , W9's and the Italians .

I am in favor of this move. I live in Ohio but every second weekend in May I am in New England to pick up my daughter at BU. We would love to stay in New England to work the contest there instead of in Ohio.

A move to a date in May would let me fill in operating time on SSB that is taken up by working people in the other contests AND embarrising accidental dupes when I check a W1 call in the open 7QP window and 7's in the NEQP window. Had 4 Write-log windows running for a while -- could have had 5 if WL supported the ARI contest.

Just leave it as it is. It's a fun, free-for-all weekend - AND for once enough participants to keep it interesting.

I think it would be a good idea. Maybe we would not have the competition from other state qso parties. You guys have a great contest. This year I had to work almost all weekend, but I plan on having the weekend off for next year.

Keep the NEQP on first weekend of May. A consideration for 2nd weekend of May (May 8/9, 2010) is that this Mother's Day weekend.

Lots of college and high school graduations the 2nd and 3rd weekend of May. That will knock a lot of folks out of the contest because of friends and family graduating.

You asked for opinions on moving NEQP to the second weekend of May for 2010. NO!!!!!!!!! There is so much synergy between the NEQP, 7QP and INQP that it would be a travesty if NEQP were to move. Many, as do myself, like operating ALL the contests that are on this particular weekend in May. If 7QP and NEQP do what INQP did, and have plaques for highest in the other QPs, that is one hotbed of activity on that first weekend of May, drawing MORE operators to ALL the contests.

Second weekend in May is VERY close to Mother's Day, as this year it is ON Mother's Day. You don't want to make your mother mad, do you? Third & 4th weekends in May don't have any QP activity, perhaps because Memorial Day falls somewhere in that time frame. Those weekends would be a better option than the second weekend, though, if you MUST desert us!

I would like to see NEQP on a weekend with less competition from 7th Area QP and Indiana QP. Unfortunately, better propagation towards the west gained me many more contacts in 7 land than in 1 land. NEQP would do better without the heavy competition. Yes, move to the second weekend!

Well, NEQP will then overlap with the CQ-M contest. This will cause problems at least for DX stations. I counted the number of participants in both contests' results for 2007 (categories RTTYand SWL excluded). This yields ARI: 567 participants and CQM: 1112 participants. Thus I think it is better to stay with ARI overlap.

Definitely not later!!! Good spring weekends are precious. If a weekend isn't rainy, it's hard to give up family and outdoor time for radio time. If any change is contemplated, the date should be earlier.

Are you nuts? That is Mothers Day weekend. I would have zero chance to participate if you moved it.

I do not think it is a good idea. Mother's Day weekend is a universal conflict. Having several QSO [parties (IN, W7, 10/10, etc) on the same weekend adds to the challenge and scores. Many enjoy running more than one simultaneous contest. Keep the NEQP the first weekend of May

From all of us out west, we believe it makes sense to keep it on the same weekend with the IQP and the 7QP plus the MARAC, etc. Lots more activity and lots more contacts. Splitting up the weekends will certainly lessen the amount of Qs for both weekends.

2d weekend of May is Dayton.[Nope, it's the 3rd] I'd have to vote NAY on that.

It’s tough to rush home from Nearfest and get right on the air for a contest. I’m in favor of NEQP NOT being the same weekend as Nearfest.

Don't do it. It's not good to mess with Mother's Day! It would increase the ham divorce rate.

Enjoyed the QSO party. I think aligning our QSO party with others that were being run the same weekend this year, greatly enhanced participation, so I would be in favor of keeping it that way. There were, as I recall... three other QSO parties that weekend... and lots of people looking.
As it turned out... NearFest did not interfere with the scheduling, so that is not an issue.

I have operated in the MARAC, 7QP, INQP, and NEQP many times as a mobile. I really like having all 4 contests on the same weekend. Yes there is more QRM but if I'm going to spend $600 and drive 1500 miles I really would like to have a lot of stations to work. Having all 4 contests on the same weekend allows me to make 1500+ contacts for the entire weekend. This year I provided contacts from ID, UT, and CO to the NE folks. My vote (if I get one) would be to NOT change the weekend.

It would be lots easier on me for you to move from the 7QP weekend.

Many thanks for all of the input and good comments.

Overall there were 14 comments in favor of a move, and 18 comments saying not to move. Not a real clear concensus, but certainly not a tidal wave of support for any change. So, we'll be doing the NEQP on the first weekend of May in 2010 --- May 1+2, 2010.