It has grown to become one of the biggest QSO parties on the annual HF operating calendar.

The PA QSO Party is held on the second weekend of October, running this year on Oct. 11 and 12 with stations found on both SSB and CW. It has the reputation as "The Friendly QSO Party" because it attracts lots of newcomers and casual operators who take their time on the QSO exchanges.

Now it's become even friendlier: The committee that oversees the PA Party has introduced a new group of awards and plaques for this contest to stimulate even more activity – especially on the 10, 15 and 20 meter bands.

That’s where those of you outside of Pennsylvania become part of the winning formula for PA stations who will be looking for you.

Even if you’re not into contesting, nearly all of us who cruise the bands on the weekends are generally willing to stop to make contact with a station calling CQ. Well, that brief stop for a PA station during this event could translate into big rewards.

While the PA party does offer plaques and awards to out-of-state stations in a variety of categories, organizers want to promote even more activity from those stations. Doing so will help operators in PA to capture awards for sweeping sections and call districts in the Northeast, Southwest, the West, Central, Canada, and some DX plus the Caribbean.

You’ll find more about the PA QSO Party and a listing of the new awards in the links in the text version of this story on our website, ARNewsline.org.