I hear May QST is the "Advertiser's edition?"

Paul's description of a magazine page assembly is somewhat different for QST.

I wrote this back on Sept. 28, 2006, under a topic here called "Why I Won't Subscribe":
http://amfone.net/Amforum/index.php?topic=8561.40

Some Snippets:

I wrote:

It looks like the magic number for QST pages is 8. i.e. if they need to add 1 page of info, they actually have to add fill-in for 7 more. Note: 8 pages is two 11X17 size sheets, printed 2(8.5X11) to a side and on each side, and then folded in the middle. So, each 11X17 sheet holds 4 numbered pages. The reason for 8 page increments is probably due to the specific glue-binding technique that is used for QST. For QEX, since it's saddle stitched(this is cheap to do (11X17 sheets, printed both sides, staples in middle, folded in half)), 4 pages (1 11X17 sheet printed with 2 numbered pages to a size) is probably the increment number.

Note: Paul's description would apply to ARRL's QEX magazine. Also, if the QST magazine was ready to go to print, and they needed to add some late breaking news or ad request, they probably could consider dropping something that was already in place. I also don't think that "free" ads would make a viable filler, but if it's the 11th hour and you have a printer deadline, putting an ad in place for one of your own products makes for a better choice.

And, I further said:

Interesting note - At the July 2000, BoD meeting, it was announced that QST going forward would be full-color pages, with a minimum of 176 pages. Pulling from my QST library, Jan. 2001, had 176 pages; Jan. 2002, had 176 pages (I'm assuming that from 2001 to 2002 the page count remained the same since I didn't check each one); Jan. 2003 had 160 pages; Jan. 2004, 2005, 2006 each had 160 pages. I believe the decrease in page count was due mainly to pulling most of the page after page of contest results.

In checking all the QST's from May 2007 back through all of 2006, the majority of the page counts were 160 pages. Several issues were 168 pages. The May 2007 (Dayton ads), December holiday issue, and several others (made more ads or FCC rule dialog type stuff). I know there was some dialog printed on the ARRL site concerning the removal of the page after page of contest results but, doing a quick search, I couldn't find it.