GQP Bonus Prize

This year we are introducing the "Top Rover Trophy" into the Bonus Prize gallery of prizes. It has been felt for some time that some sort of special recognition be afforded for excellence and persistence in the "Rover" category.

The TOP ROVER TROPHY will not be a 'gimmie' for any operator. The rules for this trophy, as written, will require the rover to bite the bullet and stay in the chair (seat) in order to qualify. The rules for the "TOP ROVER TROPHY" are as follows:

1 Any mobile operating in the Georgia QSO Party is eligible to compete. It is NOT required that the rover reside within the boundaries of the State of Georgia.

2 All contacts must be made from within the legal boundaries, as posted, of the State of Georgia.

3 All parties involved in the Rover's operation must abide by all conditions of Part 95 of the FCC Regulations for operation of an amateur radio station and also the "Rules" of the Georgia QSO Party.

4 All Rovers/mobiles must identify by methods generally accepted methods as used in MARAC and other contesting operations. I.e., Identify as a rover or mobile. EXAMPLE: (CW) "CQ GQP de K4OD/M" or "CQ GQP de K4OD/Bibb" or for phone, "CQ GA QSO PARTY from K4OD mobile in Bibb County" or "CQ GQP from K4OD Bibb GA" or in some similar nature.

5 No county-line operations are allowed. You must be in either one county or the other. Safety is always the primary goal.

6 Rovers must qualify for the award by activating a minimum of 15 counties and must maintain an average of at least 25 contacts per county in the aggregate score submitted for the entire run. For instance, K4OD/M activates 18 counties during his run. He must have an aggregate score of at least 450 contacts for the total run. K4BK/M activates 36 counties. He must have an aggregate total of 900 contacts for the total run in order to maintain the "25 contacts/county average" requirement.

7 This competition does not disqualify any rover from eligibility for any other awards or plaques issued by the contest committee.

8 The winner of the TOP ROVER TROPHY for 2008, and subsequent years, will not be eligible to compete for the trophy the following year. The rover will, however be eligible for all other competition awards or plaques.

9 For the purposes of this competition, Phone and CW will be considered as one contest and no power limitations shall apply except as specified in Part 95 of the FCC Regulations for operating an amateur radio station.

10 In the event of a tie score, the rover with the highest contacts per county average overall will be declared the winner. The decision of the Contest Committee will be final.

The Question :

Interested in some dessert to have with that nice salmon you won in the Washington State Salmon Run and that bottle of NCCC Private Reserve California wine that you won in the California QSO Party ?

The Answer:

The Georgia QSO Party

Georgia as most people know is nicknamed the Peach State. Our subtropical climate allows Georgia to rank first in the nation in the production of peanuts and pecans. It is third in production of peaches. The smart (?) folks who run the Georgia QSO Party want to give you an incentive to operate our QSO Party. In exchange for your hard work we want to reward you. What better way to do this then have a little competition and a special prize for the winner?

The rules are simple. We want to have a contest within the contest to see who can work the most Georgia counties. Georgia has 159 counties, which is only 2nd to the state of Texas. Note the rules for this little competition are different than the rules for the actual Georgia QSO Party, which counts counties by mode. You get credit for each county only once. It doesn't matter if you work it on CW or SSB. The maximum number you can get is 159. As far as we know no one has ever worked all 159 counties during a GQP weekend. The sponsors of the GQP are making efforts to try to get as much activity from as many counties as we can.

Tiebreakers:

We realize there could be a tie in this competition. Listed below are the tiebreakers.

1) 1st Tiebreaker - The higher score in GQP.

2) 2nd Tiebreaker - The higher total number of Georgia stations worked in the GQP.

3) 3rd Tiebreaker - The higher total number of rover contacts made.

The Prizes:

The top 5 stations outside of Georgia will receive a sample of agriculture products that are grown in Georgia.

The overall winner in this competition will get a shipment of delicious Georgia products... chosen each year based on crops.

Positions 2 -5 will also receive gifts from Lane Packing. SECC and SEDXC members are not eligible to win these prizes.

--->Please note: These prizes will not be shipped until late June at the earliest due to growing and picking season timing. Scores may possibly be posted earlier and your patience on shipment of these prizes will be appreciated.<---

Details:
1st place - Counties worked (out of GA Station) Selected Georgia Agricultural products, as are available each season.

2nd place - Gift Basket - $28.00

3rd Place - Gift Basket - $28.00

4th Place - one pound bag of GA pecans

5th place - one pound bag of GA pecans

Top 5 scores from stations located in one of the states bordering GA - (FL,AL,SC,NC,TN) - Old Fashioned Brittle
Good Ole' Fashioned Georgia Pecan and Peanut Brittle

These are agricultural products and must be delivered in a certain period of time (2-3 days max allowable).

Donations and supporting sponsorship for the above prizes........................................

Gordon, K4OD is handling the work of acquiring and shipping these prizes.

A donation to help can be made to Gordon at gqpprizes or via his paypal account or other means.

Expenses for shipping these prizes may run as much as the price of the items, so your consideration and help is asked.

Thanks to Gordon K4OD and Jeff KU8E for their work and imagination in creating these new prizes for GQP!