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The lull between solar cycle sets allowed me an opportunity to configure Ham Radio Deluxe with bandscope capability. I’m impressed with its user interface and continuous scanning. The scope settings range between 6 dB through plus 60 dB in addition I’m monitoring 75 KHz of bandwidth.

QSO Party.
Recently, I operated in the 7th Call Area QSO Party, for an hour prior to a social commitment. The recent downward sunspot trend suppressed most signals, normally, signals from 7-land range between s5 through plus 10dB on the meter. This season seems exceptionally different unlike previous years.

The Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club is wondering where all the sunspots have gone?

Software Control.
I have reached a milestone inside the shack that is additional software controlling of the Yaesu FT100 because of Ham Radio Deluxe. However I have not completed the project that is interfacing my radio because of port issues. My goal is to resolve the conflict at the end of the month although not in time for CQ WPX CW.

Currently, both N1MM Contest Logger and Ham Radio Deluxe compete on port four, which is assigned to the CAT62 cable off of the FT100.

The DM780 program runs in CW mode and I’m fascinated by the spectral intensity of signals. I feel like ham radio moved to another level because, not only am I hearing the signal, it is also visualized on the liquid crystal display. Likewise, one can watch the Morse code interpreter and I’m curious how it will function at the end of the month for example; can I cut and paste a callsign from the interpreter into N1MM’s dialogue box when searching and pouncing?

CQ WPX CW.
I’m looking forward to the late Spring mega RadioSport event given WPX growth over the past few years. Likewise, I will have an opportunity at using the bandscope and waterfall although WPX is a rate competition. Perhaps, the big question is, will a set of sunspots flow across the solar disc later this month?

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

RadioSport is fun although the level of fun one seeks is another matter. Certainly, the sport where wireless technology meets human skill and intellect, is my favorite niche within ham radio. My passion remained even during those days in uniform or while attending graduate school. Whatever the measure of one’s station, what really counts at the end of the day, is how one shares their enthusiasm for the game.

Perhaps, after all the trophies and certificates are won, what really matters is the moment when a rookie operator gets it.

The measure of our success is best exemplified by Doug, N6DFY and his smile.

Nuts and Bolts.
I hope a frank and earnest discussion begins regarding the trajectory of RadioSport and a bold vision is developed. Afterall, this is Dayton weekend, when the movers and shakers of the game gather for pizza inside the Contesting Suite. I believe such a vision is beginning to develop out of the genesis of the World Wide Radio Operators Foundation (WWROF).

I’m not going to besiege with a list of complaints neither do I want to point a finger at anyone organization, institution, or individual. What I want is leadership, bold vision, courage, and something to believe in again.

The task before WWROF is not an easy one, in fact, why create a non-profit dedicated to improving the skills of amateur radio operators, if there was not a need?

Brockman and Cox (1981) pointed out padding in the logs, excessive dupes, sloppy copy, and operating outside one’s privileges to mention a few as problematic. However there something called honor, courage, and duty.

Please, if one is reading my blog in Dayton, take a moment and reflect about qualities rarely discussed anymore. Leadership. Honor. Courage.

I hope that in between all that is going on in Dayton that our movers and shakers take time to reflect as well. I believe WWROF is a good step forward in addition they are willing to confront the challenges ahead with leadership, vision, and courage.

73 from the shack relaxation zone.

Reference: Cox, B. K3EST, Brockman, L. N6AR (1981, October). CQ Magazine: 1980 CQ World Wide DX Contest: C.W. Results. pp. 13 – 16, 18 – 20, 22 – 27.

Thank you Potomac Valley Radio Club for sponsoring Contesting 101: Maximize Your Score and Your Fun webinar. The schedule time was right on and, for this mid-40 something, ideal for a Friday night.

Kirk, K4RO hit all the function buttons with his informative presentation. Well done!

I especially enjoyed his insight into station construction, component selection, brief yet important mention of antenna systems, and calling CQ even when one is low power, low profile like myself.

Calling CQ more often is a target going into CQ WPX CW at the end of the month.

Contest on.

P.S. Ham radio has moved to a new level of passion with Ham Radio Deluxe and Digital Mode 780 in the shack relaxation zone. Wow factor nine point nine!

The message is clear and it is social media. A cluster of ham radio operators understood a few years ago that a wave, no more like a tsunami, would crash against the shores of culture and it is here. It is not a fad. Social media is transforming our daily lives from inter-personal relationships to business-to-business transactions.

Perhaps, one might say as Alvin Toffler did, this is a power shift.

Failure to realize this transformation, most likely, will leave institutions, organizations, and individuals on the boondocks of the 20th Century.

73 from the shack relaxation zone and thank you FRRL for the content.

In State County Expedition Multi/Multi.

• KE7DX | 87 CW | 25 SSB | 25 Mults | 10.5hrs | 7,775 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].

n = 1 score submitted in this category.

In State Multi/Multi.

• KB7QND | 281 SSB | 54 Mults | 17hrs | 30,348 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].

n = 1 score submitted in this category.

In State Multi-Single.

• K7LED | 286 CW | 120 SSB | 52 Mults | 12hrs | 56,940 Points.

n = 1 score submitted in this category.

In State Single Operator CW.

• KK7S | 595 | 62 Mults | 18hrs 110,670 Points.
• AB7R | 640 | 53 Mults | 11hrs | 101,760 Points [WWDXC].
• W7Z (W7ZR) | 500 | 53 Mults | 12hrs | 79,500 Points [Arizona Outlaws Contest Club].

n = 11 scores submitted in this category.

Out of State Single Operator CW.

• N6MU | 191 | 98 Mults | 56,154 Points [SCCC].
• K0IO | 134 | 59 Mults | 23,718 Points [Newton ARA].
• K1TN | 99 | 49 Mults | 6hrs | 14,553 Points.

n = 14 scores submitted in this category.

A tough weekend inside the cans given changing ionospheric conditions although KK7S captured a 3830 top slot position prior to log adjudication. Out of state participant, N6MU, battled tough conditions on 20m leading the Southern California Contest Club to its banner position in the low power category.

It was not easy with near flat conditions however KK7S and N6MU get the honors! Well done.

Contest on.

RadioSport USA | 7th Call Area QSO Party.
The party includes seven states and a whole lot of ham radio fun through the weekend. This event is one of my favorites because it is regional and low power friendly while Cycle 24 figures itself out. Has anyone noticed the astonishing decline in sunspot numbers? Perhaps it is part and parcel or is Cycle 24 completely different, whatever the case, it is an amazing scientific phenomena.

I plan on deploying my vertical tomorrow morning after walking Radio Dawg. She really needs a little exercise afterward fire up the radio and go for ionospheric fun. I’ll focus on the high bands 20, 15, and 10m while sending Morse Code straight off the paddles. It’s been awhile and CQ WPX CW is around the corner.

Rules (link).

SFI = 79 | A-index = 3 | K-index = 1 | Sunspot count is 0 @2111UTC.

See Also.
Radio-sport dot net | While N4PN Rules NEQP, W0BH Looks For Fifth Straight Single Op Victory In 2010.

P.S. The Beach Boys Amateur Radio Club meets this evening for our founder’s photograph. The only requirement for membership is a Hawaiian print shirt. 73s.

Atlantic Single Operator.

• NO3M | 53 Qs | 39 Mults | 2,067 Points [NCC].
• N4AF | 49 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,712 Points [PVRC].
• W4OC | 49 Qs | 34 Mults | 1,666 Points [SECC].

n = 10 scores submitted in this division.

East Central Single Operator.

• N4OGW | 53 Qs | 36 Mults | 1,908 Points [ACG].
• K9BGL | 51 Qs | 36 Mults | 1,836 Points [SMC].
• W9RE | 51 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,785 Points [SMC].

n = 16 scores submitted in this division.

West Central Single Operator.

• WD0T (@KD0S) | 52 Qs | 37 Mults | 1,924 Points.
• K0AD | 48 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,680 Points [MWA].
• N3BB | 48 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,680 Points [CTDXCC].

n = 10 scores submitted in this division.

West Single Operator.

• KQ7W | 49 Qs | 35 Mults | 1,715 Points [Kaunas Univ of Technology].
• K0UK | 37 Qs | 25 Mults | 925 Points [Grand Mesa].
• KI7Y | 21 Qs | 14 Mults | 294 Points [WVDXC].
• K7SS | 1 Q | 1 Mult | 1 Point [WWDXC].

n = 4 scores submitted in this division.

NCCC in CA/NV Single Operator.

• K6VVA | 56 Qs | 37 Mults | 2,072 Points.
• N6RO | 51 Qs | 36 Mults | 1,836 Points.
• N6ZFO | 48 Qs | 33 Mults | 1,584 Points.

n = 7 scores submitted in this division.

Three more Qs in the log is enough and congratulations Ric, K6VVA on a stunning victory for his remote station while propelling the North California Contest Club into this week’s banner position!

His commitment to the fastest 30 minutes in RadioSport paid significant dividends. I’d call this a 12th round, gone the distance competition between Ric, K6VVA affectionately known as “The Locust” and Eric, NO3M.

Contest on!