SO YOU WANT TO BE A PAPERCHASER!
By Ed Redwine K5ERJ #11843
Paperchasing, (the collection of amateur radio awards) is a fun part of
the 10-10 experience. With new members coming on every day, some are going
to want to join the hunt, but are reluctant because they don't know how to
get started. With such a large membership, paperchasers are not a large
group in numbers, but they are very active and can usually be found around
28.345 and 28.825 when conditions permit.
10-10 AWARDS -
The awards offered by 10-10 is an excellent place to start
the paper chase with 13 categories from which to chose. The 10-10 News
dedicates a full page to listing of all the awards and the managers who
handle them. If you are not clear what the requirements are, then send an
SASE (self addressed stamped #10 envelope) to the award manager in question
and ask for a worksheet and award details. All managers are more than happy
to oblige.
CHAPTERS -
There are well over 100 Affiliated Chapters in 10-10. Some are
dedicated to paper chasing and others function more as local social groups.
By far the greatest majority welcome outside members and encourage the
propagation of their Chapter certificates.
Each Chapter has its own way of joining. With some you have to work
Special Qualifiers (SQs) while others you collect a certain number of
points or contacts. The cost of membership will vary from $1.00 and 2
FCS (First Class Stamps) up and usually depends upon the quality of the
certificate offered by the chapter.
Periodically, the 10-10 News will publish a list of Chapters along with
net frequencies and times. Nets are an excellent place to meet new
friends and gain knowledge of the Chapter. An Award and Certificate Guide
is available from the Guide Manager. Refer to the inside back page
of the 10-10 News for details. (Or see the list of nets in
this collection of information files.--W4RNL)
INSTANT QUALIFIERS -
Many paperchasers are Instant Qualifiers (IQs) for
the basic certificate of many Chapters. Contacting an IQ is all you need
to join. Just send details of the contact with the appropriate fee to the
Certificate Manger (CM) of the Chapter in question. Then sit back and wait
for the mail to deliver your new number! Be sure to read carefully the
rules of the Chapter you join. They do differ from Chapter to Chapter.
LISTS -
All serious paperchasers have a list that is exchanged containing
all the information they have accumulated on all the Chapters they work.
Some are shorter than others and they vary widely in style and format.
NUMBERS OVER THE AIR -
Why not just give the numbers over the air? Good
question that deserves a good answer. In the beginning days of paper
chasing, there were few Chapters and exchanges were easily handled
over the air. As the numbers of Chapters grew, so did the lengthy
exchanges usually on a frequency occupied as a gathering place for
paper chasers. To save time and not hog the frequency, the list came
into use. It is exchanged between stations by mail, only after a bona
fide contact between two members in which the 10-10 number, Call, Name
and QTH are exchanged.
Lists contain the appropriate information of the member, including Call,
Name, Mailing Address and Telephone number. Grid Squares and other
information is often included in the heading. Most lists show the
member Chapters in column form and in alphabetical order. Basic numbers
are listed along with current points and any collectible seals for that
Chapter. Lists should not be cluttered with unnecessary information that
is not needed by the receiving station. Lists should also be purged
occasionally of Chapters no longer operating.
COLLECTING POINTS -
The object of paperchasing is to collect points
from fellow paperchasers and to use these points to build your own
point value in any given Chapter. It should be noted that these
points are earned by working the station whose points you are
collecting either over the air or on a certificate list after a
legitimate contact. It is not proper or legal to claim points you have
heard someone give to others. You must make contact with that station
in order to claim his (or her) points. The same applies to any Chapter
Specials that may be going on.
YOUR CHAPTER WORKSHEET -
After you have collected points from fellow
paperchasers, the next step is to record them either on a worksheet
provided by the Chapter CM, or in a data base on your personal computer.
Both methods are entirely acceptable. There are still many paperchasers
who do not own computers and consequently do all their paper work with
pencil. Each worksheet should include your Call, your name, your 10-10
number, your basic number for the chapter and your present point value.
You don't make any brownie points with the CM if he (or she) has to spend
extra time trying to find you in a data base.
Be sure to use the Chapter's format on your worksheet if you have designed
your own. Most all point based Chapters require: 1. The previous collected
points, 2. the new points you are claiming and 3, the total collected
points. All collectible seals should be listed in columns with appropriate
headings. Those keeping records in long hand should be extremely careful to
make sure the columns add up correctly. Conversely, those with computers
should scan their printouts to make sure that the 760 points claimed on
a member is not 6760 often caused by the fat finger syndrome.
BE KIND TO CMs -
Certificate Managers are some of the hardest working
people in 10-10. They spend countless hours pouring over upgrades that
are illegible, poorly submitted, and thrown together. Take some time
to make sure your upgrade is readable and neat. You will find a warm
spot in the CM's heart. The same goes for any award you apply for whether
Chapter or 10-10. Proof of paid up dues should always be included for
10-10 awards. Some Chapters award extra points on an annual basis for
proof of paid up dues.
SPECIALS -
Many Chapters run Specials for their members. These specials
may be monthly or even annually but for the most part they are fun and
competitive. If you are included in a Chapter=92s Special, make it a point
to get on the air and give it out. It helps propagate the Chapter and
makes you a popular fellow! Once again, like points, Specials are earned
only after a legitimate contact with the station iving out the Special.
You cannot ethically claim the special just because you heard someone
give it! Be sure to have your worksheet back in to the CM by the date
requested. It's tough to send one back that is far past the published
deadline. In times when the band allows DX participation, ample time
will be given to include enough time for return mail from the DX stations.
This should be enough information to get you started in paper chasing and
maybe remind some of the older paperchasers of some of the things they may
have forgotten. Even though the band in at a low spot in the cycle,
contacts can be made virtually every day and that is the real reason,
we are here, to keep the band active in periods of minimum activity.
The 95 Summer QSO Party was a good example of heavy activity during a
period of low sunspot activity. Everyone was having a ball.
Now, go out there and collect some awards!
Ed Redwine, K5ERJ #11843 joined 10-10 in 1976 and immediately became
a paper chaser. He was founder and CH of the Plainsman Chapter out of
Lubbock Texas in the late 70s and early 80s, then after moving to Kansas
in 1984 founded the Air Capital Tentenners of Wichita where he still
serves as Chapter Head and Senior CM. He now serves as a Director of
10-10, Chairman of the Operations Committee and has also served as
the Wichita Convention Co-Chairman and Chairman of the 93 Nominating
Committee.
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