The Red Rose Repeater Association – W3RRR, of Lancaster, PA was honored to be chosen to host the Bonus Station for the 2021 PA QSO Party. This was the first time in the history of the PA QSO Party that Lancaster County hosted the Bonus Station. Truly making the event a “Lancaster County” effort, members of Southern PA Radio Club – K3IR were on hand to assist W3RRR.
On October 9th and 10th, 2021, PAQP Bonus Station Ops made 282 CW contacts and 547 Phone contacts, for a total of 829 QSOs with hams from 66 of 67 PA Counties, many ARRL Sections around the country, and quite a few DX contacts! While the 40m and 80m bands garnered the bulk of the QSOs, [see graphic, attached], a Sunday afternoon 10m opening earned 20 lucky operators an extra 200 points for their PA QSO Party score. Even 6 meters had a respectable showing of 27 contacts, and following the Lancaster County Simplex Net (every Saturday night on 146.580) another 14 contacts were logged on 2m FM.
Alex Van Patten W3AVP of New Holland, PA, took the lead by submitting an application to the PA QSO Party Committee months in advance. With his organizational skills, Alex coordinated 28 operators at 7 stations on 8 Amateur Radio bands to bring the Bonus Station to life. Said Alex, “It was an incredible honor and experience to be the bonus station for the 2021 PA QSO Party. The efforts of each and every operator at the club site coupled with the interest from those hunting us made it a resounding success!”
YouTube Video of the Event: https://youtu.be/86Npx58Opw0 (Credit: Bob Devonshire, AA3OB)
Red Rose Repeater Association: www.w3rrr.org
Southern PA Radio Club: www.k3ir.org
W3RRR on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/223248495033613
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Submitted by Doug Rice W3COB