I was fortunate enough to attend the CQWW CC Webinar on Sunday evening. "Fortunate enough" because I wasn't busy at the time; in reality, anyone could have registered and attended. This was the latest in a series of webinars hosted by the PVRC. Please visit pvrc.org to learn more about upcoming webinars.

The event started with a brief overview of the contests, the plaque program and rule changes. The log checking process was also explained; it is much more in-depth than I had imagined. It actually restored some of my faith in the cross-checking process. Also, to see that the committee was willing to work with logs that didn't quite add up was refreshing...I remember the first time I submitted my log, and how screwed up the whole thing probably was as a rookie. Cheers to KR2Q and crew.

The event ended with a question session. Most of the questions, as you might imagine, were related to the "mystery DQ's." These, in fact, were not DQ's at all. Several entrants withdrew their entries (as is their right), and several more entries were simply left out in error. The mystery is solved! The next batch of questions dealt with the station inspection. I asked what particular guidelines were in effect for the inspections, if any. K3EST explained that the inspectors would have to come in, do the inspection, and leave without bothering the operation. He also mentioned that these inspections would not necessarily be intrusive as much as friendly. Bob restated several times that the inspections would only occur at some of the top-level stations in each category. They would not say who would be inspected during the upcoming season.

My take on all of this has been the same: if you play by the rules and you have nothing to hide, you have NOTHING to worry about. If you are in that top percent of stations and are worried about an inspection, just play by the rules. This new addition is creating an uproar for a reason I don't quite understand. Again, play by the rules and you'll be all set!

Tomorrow, I am off to K0RF's to help him with some antenna work. His station is taken for CQWW SSB, although he will run a multi/multi for CW. I'm still looking for a chair for SSB (be it at a multiop, or a spare station). Out here in Colorado, there are not all that many multiops. In fact, other than K0RF, I'm pressed to think of any. It is interesting for me, coming from a place where KC1XX, K1TTT, K1RX, KB1H and a few others are all within a three hour drive. In fact, back home, K3LR is probably only 5 hours or so, and W3LPL maybe 7. Tomorrow, it will take me almost 3.5 hours to get to K0RF. I do have a modest setup from here in Steamboat, but it isn't developed enough to waste CQWW on. If I can't find a chair for the contest, I'll likely spend the weekend doing other work. I have trouble turning the radio on during a contest weekend, even for a few quick Q's, when I haven't committed to a serious effort. Considering I'm itching for a serious effort, it would be a shame not to harness this energy!

73', gl