Memorial Day QSO Party

Memorial Day QSO Party (MDQP) is an activity providing participants with an opportunity to honour amateur radio operators who are now Silent Key (SK).

MDQP is being sponsored and managed by FOC and is open to all licensed amateurs; the idea is for each participant to honour a silent key. You might have a special memory to share, along with the callsign and name of the SK. The event is not a contest.

MDQP begins at 09:00 UTC on 1. November 2024, ending at 08:59 UTC on 2. November 2024.

  • This is a CW- only event and it is suggested that operators use CW Speed between 15 and 30 WPM.
  • Each exchange must include RST, QTH and name of operator, together with the callsign of the Silent Key being honoured; additionally, sharing the name and at least one item of interest about the SK operator is encouraged. A participant may honour more than a single SK but only one SK call per band.
  • QSOs may be made on the 1.8, 3.5, 7, 14, 21, 28, and 50MHz bands only.  Stations may only be worked once per band.
  • There are two sections:
  • Single Operator Low Power (SOLP) using 100 Watts or less.
  • Single Operator High Power (SOHP) running more than 100 Watts.
  • While using spotting networks or CW skimmers is allowed, self-spotting is prohibited.

Submitting logs

  • Please send electronic logs by email in ADIF format only to IZ2FME at MDQP@g4foc.org, or at michelecarlone@yahoo.it within 7 days of the end of the contest.

Logging software

  • Use any logging software that can generate an ADIF file; G4OGB has kindly produced in N1MMLogger+ a UDC file named FOC_MDQP.udc (You can download it from this web site:  https://n1mmwp.hamdocs.com/mmfiles/categories/userdefinedcontests/ See ‘Setup User Defined Contests’ for how to set it up.
  • You can also use the free logging software “QARTEST”, also in English – You can download it at: https://www.ik3qar.it/software/qartest/en/ Set the log up as a ‘DXpedition’ which will provide two fields where you can record the required information.
  • In addition to your log, we ask that you include any soapbox comments and, optionally, a short description of your chosen Silent Key, including why you chose to remember that particular operator. Feel free to share any touching or interesting personal stories you received during the event and let us know if you are happy for us to publish the stories in our FOC magazine, FOCUS.

Awards and certificates

  • All entrants will receive an electronic certificate of participation (PDF)
  • In addition, awards will be made to the station with the highest number of QSOs made and to the runner up, based on numbers of QSOs made.
  • An additional award will be made to the station who, in the opinion of the judges, shared the most interesting information about their nominated silent key.

 

 

For more information on the event contact IZ2FME at MDQP@g4foc.org, or at michelecarlone@yahoo.it.