I agree that all the hound really needs to copy from the FOX is (1) the hound's call sign AND (2) the fact that the FOX has confirmed the QSO at the end thereof. That's hard enough as evidenced from time-to-time by DUPES. A DUPE occurs when a hound is not sure that the FOX confirmed the first QSO. DUPES are not all that rare.

The FOX can make it easier on himself/herself by having a list By CALL AREAS with the following information: The call signs of all OLD hounds: Those who have bagged any FOX during the pre-season or the REAL season; every hound's name, state and QRP-L number (if applicable). Then all the FOX really needs to clearly copy during a FOXHUNT QSO is the respective hound's call sign, the FOX's signal report, and whether the hound is portable (and, if so, in what state) or mobile and - if so -in what state? If the hound has no QRP-L number, the FOX must copy the hound's output power.

If (in very rare instances) the hound is NEW: has never before bagged a FOX, the FOX must copy the NEW Hound's call sign, the hound's QRP-L number (if applicable) OR the hound's power output (is the hound has no QRP-L number)- plus the FOX's signal report. Unless the NEW hound is portable or mobile, his/her state can be ascertained from "Buckmasters'" or "QRZ," etc. There are several others on the Net as we all know.

I have all of this season's pre-hunt logs all REAL hunt logs. I also have the FINAL TALLY from last season: Namesly, the call of every ham who bagged a single FOX last season.

Unless an OLD hound is portable out of his/her home state, I KNOW the state. I KNOW the Hound's name (unless he/she signs with a handle, such as "Dumb Ass" of the like (which has occurred once or twice). I KNOW the QRP-L number of every OLD Hound who has a number. I know the HOME STATE of every OLD hound.

It's possible (I'm not sure) that the QRP-L list of every QRP-L number is no longer accessible over the Net. If it's still accessable, any ham with a QRP-L number can be ascertained from that list.

Furthermore, I presume that some hounds e-mail to each FOX a note such as: "I'll be hunting for you tonite. Please listen for me. s/Joe, AA6A, QRP-L #???, Town, CA."

In my humble opinion, copying the above information is difficult enough. I don't vote for any FOXHUNT rule changes that would make the hunts any more difficult for either the FOX or the hounds!

CHEERS!

There!: for those folks who think I post only TITLES. Hi... Hi.

Tom Palmer, N1TP
@ Beautiful, tropical Naples, Florida.
QRP-L # 1317

"FOX to be" on 2-25-2000

Fan of Jiminy Cricket and Elmer Fudd.

Collector of "Heddon" tiny "Crazy Crawlers" and "Midgit Digits."

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