AmateurRadio.com

I received a letter from the W3 QSL Bureau about a month ago that a few DX cards were awaiting shipment. I thought about our tradition, whether or not, a paper card has practical value given alternative routes. My self addressed stamped envelopes were sent and several cards arrived a few weeks later.

I registered with Logbook of the World and eQSL services, both, in my estimation are valued services. Each with their own complimentary award programs that measure one’s ability and station configuration. Admittedly, in my case, the ease of uploading my log after an event is a positive benefit. The return is nearly instantaneous without much overhead in terms of cost and time.

However, when my bureau shipment arrived in the mailbox, something changed my mind about the value of a paper card. It was tangible. I could hold it and share the storyline that follows our final confirmation. I have stated in the past that paper confirmation is old school. It is correct given today’s digital delivery systems, efficiencies, and modest overhead.

What I did not expect was the emotive response when those paper cards arrived.

Perhaps, most of us, continue experiencing a critical shortage in recreational time. When it is available one is either working on a ham radio related project, waiting to log the next, next DXpedition or attending to life responsibilities. Recreational time is not exactly in ample supply these days.

I’m researching how-to best respond to those who followed up our contact with a paper confirmation. I want to and it is much different than a need to respond. There is a solution that balances my returned fondness for paper confirmations.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

Photograph 1 depicts our first attempt at helically winding 97 feet 1 inch of AWG#14 wire on 2 inch PVC SCH40 before re-thinking our strategy. I opted for removing the long screw driver on the wire spool and approached our problem like taping a piece of pipe. I maintained upward and downward tension using the spool.

Photograph 2 facilitated third person in this operation because handling a 10-foot piece of PVC is difficult to balance while winding.

Photograph 3 demonstrates our solution in addition eight inch lengths of halved duct tape at every 12th or so wind. We found taping at this interval suitable enough to maintain adequate tension. I attempted, to the best of my ability, half inch spacing between winds however I’m not satisfied with the quality of my work. Therefore, the next step in our project, includes adjusting each wind accordingly.

Photograph 4 illustrates the end result of three hours of labor. My plan is to replace the spade located at the binding post while spacing each wind according to K6MM’s instructions. We divided each each section by the total length that is 256 feet 5 inches of wire equaling an average of 85 feet per section. Additionally, I’m purchasing alligator clips for each section because I’m intending to deploy the antenna in the portable mode.

Believe in your signal!

East of Mississippi.

• N4OGW | 64 Qs | 45 Mults | 2,880 Points [ACG].
• W9RE | 58 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,320 Points [SMC].
• N8EA | 55 Qs | 39 Mults | 2,145 Points [Thumb Area Contester].

n = 24 scores submitted in this division.

West of Mississippi.

• N3BB | 55 Qs | 40 Mults | 2,200 Points [CTDXCC].
• W0BH | 51 Qs | 38 Mults | 1,938 Points.
• WD0T (@KD0S) | 48 Qs | 39 Mults | 1,872 Points.

n = 14 scores submitted in this division.

NCCC Member (CA/NV).

• N6RO | 52 Qs | 32 Mults | 1,664 Points.
• N6ZFO | 47 Qs | 30 Mults | 1,410 Points.
• K6VVA | 45 Qs | 28 Mults | 1,260 Points.

n = 5 scores submitted in this division.

A shout out from the shackadelic on the beach to Tor, N4OGW and his great effort while leading the Alabama Contest Group to its banner position until next winter! The fastest 30-minutes in RadioSport experimented with its winter version of NS Sprint and scored a resounding success.

Now, if my work schedule permits, I want to join the fun this summer at least on one band before bedtime.

Contest on.

Cox and Brockman (1978) said, “People sure like to have a good time. The 1977 CQ WW Contest attests to this fact. In spite of less than normal conditions, interest and activity were never higher.” (p 10)

What makes a RadioSport event fun to operate like CQ World Wide franchise?

One answer is DXpeditions according to Cox and Brockman (1978) and another may include antenna system(s) and/or one’s receiver. The broader answer maybe active involvement of RadioSport clubs where resources and talent are focused around a specific goal like number one in the Club Box.

Cox and Brockman stated, “Not to be outdone, the Frankford Radio Club (FRC) repaired their antennas, turned their rigs, and walked off with the fierce Club competition title with a total of 62.7 M points. That’s alot of work and cooperation.” (p 10, 1977).

One senses club strategy beginning to develop with a score target inside the box. Additionally, FRC channeled their knowledge and resources into improving antenna systems-to-radios inside the shack. I believe individual initiative is important in addition to having a stake in the overall success of one’s RadioSport club.

If there is a moment when design specifications are pushed to the extreme, it must be during an event like CQ World Wide; when was the last time one thought about their audio gain control (AGC)?

For example, Richard Norton, N6AA operated from Trinidad and Tobago, as 9Y4AA in 1977 and logged 1400 Qs on 20m that year. He moved from third place in 1976 to winning first place in 1977 while establishing a world record. Undoubtedly, he understood the design specifications of his radio, inside and out.

An on-going conversation on CQ Contest Digest reflector inspired researching how-to improve my receiver and/or decrease listening fatigue. Admittedly, I set controls at near maximum, according to Eric, K3NA many operators run their gain controls too high, and I’m one of them.

His suggestions are straightforward and easy to implement to include adjustments for a specific set of headphones.

Additionally, when considering a DXpedition designed for an event like CQ World Wide, understand point structuring as part of one’s decision tree.

Cox and Brockman (1978) stated, “The Sochi Radio Club decided that 3 points per QSO would be better than 2, so they took a trip down to the Black Sea coast to UF6. It was well worth it, because their crew set a new world multi-single record with an incredible 4058 Q totaling out at 6M points.” (p 10)

Several fun factors contribute to the overall success of an event like CQ World Wide such as 1.) An active RadioSport club focusing resources and talent on specific achievable targets, 2.) Learning design specifications of one’s radio, and 3.) Understand an event’s point structuring and maximize operating time and/or operating location to that of the point structure.

Believe in your signal!

Reference: Brockman, L. N6AR, Cox, B. K3EST (September, 1978). CQ Magazine: 1977 CQ World Wide DX Contest: C.W. Results. pp. 10 – 12, 14 – 24.

The 2010 ARRL International DX CW event was my first operating experience when the solar flux indice broke through the 80 barrier. I watched A- and K-index steadily fall and marveled at our G4 class star. I imagined our ionosphere is much like the surface of an ocean. Each successive day reminding me of the local surf report.

Is there another sport as dependent on cosmological mechanics as RadioSport?

Friday night did not produce spectacular results, basically, the first evening is tough. My signal rarely scores on the first, second, or third call. It is however an opportunistic moment at logging multi-multi stations on spaces such as 15m or 20m at sunset using gray line enhancement.

I operated from N1MM’s band map with good effect while hopping between each space after loading needed multipliers. Additionally, I entered the high end of the spectrum into the dialog box then pressed enter for example; 14.080, 21.075, or 28.065 MHz then clicked downward.

I practiced moving through each space as fast as possible while loading or unloading the band map. The swarm network of spotting stations has little bearing in relationship to my location, the influence of propagation, and type of antenna system. I’m not spending expensive time ciphering through the cloud of information, pertinent or not, because of the variability of station configurations.

Saturday produced an entirely different set of results. I submit the existence of station configuration stratification where optimal stations are first logged through the competitive funnel leaving signal space during the last 24-hours of a major for modest stations.

Experience suggested following a Day Two type strategy and log data supported my conclusion 80% yield on day two versus 20% on day one.

Consequently, I logged (Japan = 19), (Hawaii = 17), and (Netherlands Antilles = 5) across five spaces within 24-hours. I’m optimistic as Cycle 24 actually stimulated 10m last weekend with a few South American 100-watt stations (Argentina and Brazil) going into the log.

It is exciting to learn my vertical antenna system is sensing low power stations on the high bands.

Raw Results.
80m | 2 Qs | 1 Mults.
40m | 28 Qs | 11 Mults.
20m | 17 Qs | 8 Mults.
15m | 16 Qs | 10 Mults.
10m | 7 Qs | 3 Mults.

Total = 70 Qs.
Total Multipliers = 33.
Total Raw Score = 6,831 Points.

I have one more antenna system that will complete my coverage of available competitive bands within a home owner association regulated community. Admittedly, those sunspots added additional fun to an otherwise stellar event sponsored by the ARRL’s Contest Branch.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

P.S. Thank you Japan and Hawaii for making the difference in my log!

Single Operator All Band.

• J88DR (G3TBK) | 3423 Qs | 261 Mults | 34hrs13mins | 2,677,860 Points [Chiltern DX Club].
• LU5FF | 2115 Qs | 233 Mults | 29hrs | 1,477,686 Points [LU Contest Group].
• P40LE (K2LE) | 1267 Qs | 224 Mults | 15hrs | 851,428 Points [OBONY].

n = 21 scores submitted in this category.

Multi-Single.

• C6AWL | 4199 Qs | 309 Mults | 48hrs | 3,892,473 Points.
• 5W0OU | 2339 Qs | 250 Mults | 48hrs | 1,754,250 Points [WVDXC].

n = 2 scores submitted in this category.

A thank you to each international low power operator who populated North American logs this weekend. This was a stoked event especially when 100-watt stations were logged inside shackadelic. How about 10 meters? One can accomplish the RadioSport impossible within this spectrum space.

Congratulations Dave Cree, G3TBK who operated J88DR to a 3830 Top Score and for providing a new DXCC counter as well.

73 from the shackadelic on the beach.

US | VE Single Operator All Band.

• N4YDU | 1942 Qs | 330 Mults | 41hrs | 1,922,580 Points [PVRC].
• N9CK | 1768 Qs | 335 Mults | 34hrs | 1,772,820 [SMC].
• VE9DX | 1580 Qs | 317 Mults | 1,502,580 Points.

n = 97 scores submitted in this category.

US | VE Multi-Single.

• N7DS (@NE7D) | 466 Qs | 164 Mults | 25hrs38mins | 228,780 Points [WVDXC].

n = 1 scored submitted in this category.

Cycle 24 provided an activity stimulus package this weekend surprising some and pleasing many. It’s not the peak for sure however the long sunspot recession is finally over. Event numbers suggest phenomenal effort and stellar returns within all categories.

Nathan Moreschi, N4YDU leads the low power pack before log adjudication and he is one to watch as an emergent RadioSport athlete. His station configuration is definitely low power Box potential. Congratulations Nathan on a job well done while leading the Potomac Valley Radio Club, to yet, another banner week.

Low power multi-single remains as a category waiting for a few innovators. I would venture to say it is under capitalized with lots of great opportunity for the future of RadioSport.

Believe in your signal!