Greetings and Salutations to All!

In appreciation of the contributions our North Carolina amateur radio clubs make to NC QSO Party we are putting them front and center this year. The usual spelling bees with their 1×1 calls are put aside in favor of club call signs populating the air waves. We want as many of them as possible! So, what are we doing for 2025?

Club stations, who wish to participate, are the bonus stations! Both in and out of state ops who work a participating bonus club station get 50 extra points. We are not putting any limitation to the number of clubs that are a bonus, its just we have to go through a small process to get your club approved and on the bonus list ahead of time.

Club stations operate as they normally would, nothing special is required. The objective is just to get on the air and put out our usual North Carolina hospitality. Since there will be nothing extra for gaining a sweep, no need to cover all the modes if this isn’t usually done.

What are we looking for in a club that is eligible for this bonus status? -It be a club in North Carolina having regular public meetings and providing amateur radio service to the community; -It be open to all amateurs for membership, and; -It has officers, committees, members and a structure we are all familiar with serving amateur radio interests.

How does a cub get to be a bonus? Send an email to Marty, W4MY, at w4my@reagan.com requesting to be a bonus station for 2025. Include the name of your club, call sign that will be used, a link to your website and any other information helpful in showing your club is of the type described above. You will get an answer as to your clubs bonus status and be listed prior to the contest if approved.

Of course, clubs are not REQUIRED to do this. We still want you to get on the air in the usual multi category nonetheless. But let me reiterate, your bonus status must be approved prior to the event. I’m putting a February 1, 2025 deadline on the request so we can prepare.

ONE MORE THING! This post is getting long, but one more important item. Participating bonus clubs will not be recused for competition! All the “bonus clubs” will be put in a new one-time category for 2025. Operating under the same rules as Multi-op/Mixed/Low Power these stations will be ranked with their score in the results and a first place plaque and second place certificate will be awarded. So this one time you can be a bonus and still compete!

Looking forward to hearing from the Clubs this year!

73 Marty W4MY

NCQP Chairman