Like any social gathering, the Ohio QSO Party (and those of other states as well) have a few largely unspoken rules of etiquette. Many are a lot like etiquette for any party. To get you a bit more familiar, here are a few of them:
If you can't be there at the start, get there when you can. Though the serious party goers will be there from noon to midnight, feel free to arrive when your schedule permits. And don't give up if you have to leave. As with any party, people do come and go through the course of the day. And unlike many parties, if you do have to leave, feel free to come back! There are likely to be lots of new people you did not meet the first time around.
Of course if you aren't there full time, you may miss some special guests you will later regret missing - like a mobile or someone else making a short appearance from a rare county.
Come as a group. There is a club competition in OQP - the winning club determined by the sum of the scores from its members. Get your club involved in a great late summer on-air activity!
Or come alone. You're still very welcome even if you're not in a club.
Greet the guests! As Ohioans, we are the "hosts" of this party. Good hosts make a point to approach the visitors and make them feel welcome. Be the first to speak - call CQ! In QSO parties like OQP, the in state guys are typically the ones who do most of the CQing, while the out of state guys typically mostly tune around looking for people in Ohio. So find a frequency and call some CQ's. There will be people, both inside and outside Ohio, who are looking to meet us Ohioians. This may include a lot who are former Buckeyes!
Typically 40 meters is the busiest band in the OQP, but remember that there are lots of people not so close to Ohio who'll be joining the fun. Don't ignore them: spend some time on 20, and if it opens, 15 and 10 meters. Even if they don't open, 15 and 10 can be good for some local Ohio QSOs. And don't forget 75/80 at night.
R.S.V.P. Advance reservations of course aren't required, but let the world know of your plans to attend. The OQP has an e-mail reflector to announce plans, ask questions, share ideas, and in general to get psyched for the weekend. You can subscribe to this reflector at the OQP web site, www.oqp.us . Also, if you are going to operate from Ohio during the party you can enter your plans at www.oqp.us/county and get a list of those plans at www.oqp.us/county_print.
No need to bring a hostess gift. Your activity is quite enough!
Send a thank you note. Do this by sending in your log after the contest. Electronic logs go to logs@oqp.us. Paper logs go to K8MR at his callbook address.
Attend other people's parties as well. Many other states have their own QSO parties. Like birthday parties, your own are the most special, but you can have lots of fun at other people's parties as well. If you have fun in Ohio's party, check out those other state parties as well.
See you at the Ohio QSO Party - Saturday, August 25. Noon to midnight, EDT. And bring a friend too. Be there!
