For those of you who wondered, yes, there will be a GridLoc
contest again this year. Here are the details. George and
I are toying with the idea about prizes for the winners...
------------------------------------------------------------
International HF Grid Location Contest (GridLoc)
I. Announcing
Second annual International HF Grid Location
(GridLoc) contest.
II. Objective
For Amateur Radio operators around the world to
contact other Amateurs in as many Maidenhead grid
squares as possible during the contest period.
III. Contest Period
1200 UTC April 13 to 1200 UTC April 14, 1996
(Second full weekend of April). All entrants may operate a
total of 18 of the contest's 24 hours. Off periods must be
no less than 30 minutes.
IV. Operator Classes
There is only one power class (less than 150 watts).
1. Single Operator, phone only, CW only and mixed
mode. One person performs all operating and logging
functions. Use of spotting nets, DX Alert Packet Systems,
telephone, etc., is not permitted.
2. Multi-Operator, Two Transmitter. Mixed mode.
Only 1 signal per band permitted. Once a transmitter has
made a contact on a given band it may not change to
another band for at least 10 minutes. All transmitters and
receivers must be located within a 500 meter diameter
circle or within the property limits of the station licensee's
address, whichever is lesser. The antennas must be
physically connected by wires to the transmitter.
3. Rover. Mixed mode. One or two operators of a single
station moving between two or more grid squares during
the contest, and making contest contacts, using the same
equipment and antennas at each site. A rover station should
sign "rover" after their callsign for voice and "/R" for CW.
V. Modes
Contacts may be made using CW or SSB.
VI. Bands
All HF bands (160-10 M) excluding the WARC bands
(30, 17, 12 M).
VII. Valid Contacts
A given station may be contacted only once per band
mode from a given grid square. Rover stations may be
worked once per band mode in each grid square they visit.
VIII. Exchange
All stations must transmit a proper Maidenhead grid
square (i.e. EM10) and an operator name. If the
Maidenhead grid square is unknown stations may be
counted for QSO credit only.
IX. QSO Points
Count 1 QSO point for each valid contact made during
the contest.
X. Multiplier Points
Count 1 multiplier point for each Maidenhead grid
square worked per band, not per band mode. Stations not
supplying valid Maidenhead grid squares do not count for
multiplier credit.
XI. Final Score
Total QSO points times the total multipliers equals the
total claimed score for all entrants except rovers. Rover
stations must add the total number of QSO points from
each grid, add the total multipliers from each grid and
multiply these to produce the final score.
XII. Score Submission
Log submissions should be sent within 30 days of the
end of the contest to:
Internet: geoiii@bga.com Mail: GridLoc
P.O. Box 180703
Austin, TX 78718-0703
GridLoc is an Open Log contest and all log submissions
become the property of the GridLoc organizers.
XIII. Awards
To be decided.
Q. Are there any rules changes this year?
A. Yes. This year stations may be worked once per band
mode instead of just once per band. This rule change
aligns GridLoc with other multi-mode contests (like the
IARU HF Championships). For example, mixed mode
stations may work each other on 20M phone and then again
on 20M CW. Both QSO's count for 1 point but any
multiplier credit applies only once.
Q. Why use Grid Squares as multipliers?
A. More common than countries and zones, Grid Squares
provide a large number of multipliers which can be worked
on each band. This makes the flavor of this contest
different from any other since WPX multipliers can not be
worked on each band.
Q. How do I determine my Grid Square?
A. There are a number of ways to determine this. Ask
other amateurs in your area (especially VHF operators)
what the grid square is. If no is knows either consult the
ARRL grid square map (which will be useful only if your
community is clearly within a grid's boundary) or type in
the BASIC computer program available from the ARRL
Operating manual. It will determine your grid square
based on longitude and latitude.
Q. Why is the contest 24 hours long?
A. To give everyone around the world equal opportunity
to operate at peak propagation hours.
Q. Why does it start at 1200UTC (7AM CST)?
A. This start time gives everyone around the world ample
time to get home from work on Friday and prepare for the
contest the next day. The contest ends before Monday all
over the world.
Q. Why limit stations to 150 watts of power?
A. One hundred fifty watts is more than enough to work
stations around the world. Higher power would raise QRM
levels on the bands and result in complicating the GridLoc
rules with the additional categories.
Q. What are the suggested frequencies?
A. There are no suggested frequencies. However it is
expected that most activity will be centered around the
lower edge of the general sub-bands and the Novice/Tech
portions of the 10 meter phone band.
Q. Are there any DX awards for HF Grid contacts?
A. Yes. The Japanese Amateur Radio League offers the
Worked All Grid award to Amateurs who work stations in
100 or more Grids. Endorsements are available for
multiples of 100 additional grids. For more information
write to:
The Japan Amateur Radio League, Inc.
Award Desk
14-2, Sugamo 1-Chome, Toshima-ku,
Tokyo 170, Japan
Q. Why are packet spotting systems not allowed?
A. Packet is not allowed for single operators only. An
entry using a packet spotting network would be part of the
multi-two category with "net" as one of the operators.
Q. What is an "Open Log Contest"?
A. An Open Log Contest is a contest in which operating
logs submitted for entry to the contest organizers are made
available to the public. It is the intention of the GridLoc
organizers to make all of the submitted logs available
electronically. This allows everyone to study the
techniques of the top operators and to analyze logs using
common software tools.
Q. Do any logging programs support GridLoc?
A. N6TR's logging program TRLog supports the GridLoc
contest starting with version 5.19. W5XD's logging
software WriteLog (for Windows) now includes a GridLoc
multiplier module.
Q. Will there be any awards?
A. Yes. The organizers will produce awards based on the
amount of activity for the contest. At this time it is certain
that continental winners in each operating category will
receive certificates as will the top ten scorers in each
division worldwide. Certificates for the top college clubs
are also planned.
Q. Where will the results be published?
A. There are several possibilities being investigated. The
organizers hope to have the results published so as to reach
the most Amateurs as possible.
73,
Robert Barron, KA5WSS barron@liant.com
Liant Software Corporation Hook 'Em Horns!
>From Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> Fri Mar 29 22:26:26 1996
From: Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> (Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY)
Subject: OH2BH Solid-State Amp?
References: <Pine.3.02.9603282318.A17278-b100000@solaria.sol.net>
Message-ID: <315C6392.650B@ripco.com>
Gary Schwartz wrote:
>
> It is stated that this amplifier covers 160M-10M and uses a switching
> power supply. The whole thing weighs in at only 20 pounds and fits in
> a suitcase.
>
> Does anyone have any details of this amplifier that could be
> shared with the multitudes?
Yeah sure...no problem.
Its a special amp, made in Finland with a once-a-year production run,
usually toward the first week of April.
It uses special, state of the art transistors, patented by Nokia, that
operate on 150V DC and are proven to be 300% efficient. The special
switching power supply also runs at efficiencies greater then 100% by
using ferrites doped with Absolute Vodka mixed with raindeer dung.
Rumor has it that one can be bought off-the-shelf in Hong Kong for under
HK100,000 as long as you know the secret VS6WO handshake and can produce
the proper platinum SIM card to power up Steve's DCS1800 portable phone.
Any OTHER questions ?
---------------------------###-----------------------------
PROBE ELECTRONICS 100 Higgins Road, Park Ridge IL 60068 USA
Keith J. Morehouse / WB9TIY / Society of Midwest Contesters
847-696-2828 FAX: 847-698-2045 e-mail: blckhole@ripco.com
---------------------------###-----------------------------
>From Brian K. Short" <ke7gh@primenet.com Sat Mar 30 01:09:31 1996
From: Brian K. Short" <ke7gh@primenet.com (Brian K. Short)
Subject: ETO 91B Amplifier?
Message-ID: <01BB1DD5.95B61BC0@ip010.phx.primenet.com>
Anyone have any comments on the new Alpha?
Any problems with key down RTTY 1.5kw RTTY
contesting? Any other pros/cons?
73 de Brian
>From Fred Hopengarten" <k1vr@k1vr.jjm.com Fri Mar 29 02:03:13 1996
From: Fred Hopengarten" <k1vr@k1vr.jjm.com (Fred Hopengarten)
Subject: Power
Message-ID: <315b44e7.k1vr@k1vr.jjm.com>
On Fri, 29 Mar 1996 00:01:53 +0100 (MET), jirka@jimaz.cz wrote:
> While writing this there is one legendary station - I5NPH, he was probably the
> EU beacon having larger antennas than anyone else and also running much much
> bigger power than anyone else, I have not heard him or of him for years now,
> does someone know what happend with the station ???
> Jiri - OK1RI jirka@jimaz.cz
K1VR: I had occasion to visit I5NPH once. Next time you
are in the Boston area, ask to see the photos. The
antennas, as you suggest, were REALLY BIG. So was ONE
amplifier. The rest were Alpha clones ~1500-2000 w. I
believe that he has returned to working in the construction
industry (roads and bridges) in the Arab Middle East. Nice
guy. Soft spoken. Amazing ability to think large, and in
my lifetime, I've seen a lot of large.
--
Fred Hopengarten K1VR
Six Willarch Road * Lincoln, MA 01773-5105
home + office telephone: 617/259-0088 (FAX on demand)
internet: k1vr@k1vr.jjm.com
"Big antennas, high in the sky, are better
than small ones, low."
>From Big Don <bigdon@eskimo.com> Sat Mar 30 02:52:52 1996
From: Big Don <bigdon@eskimo.com> (Big Don)
Subject: Super QRO contesters.
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.92.960329184720.27490C-100000@eskimo.com>
On Wed, 27 Mar 1996 lun!shawn.lightfoot@lis.ab.ca wrote:
> It seems lately there has been a few threads about the use of over legal
> limit power use on the major contests.
> Anyone that is going to dispute this had better get their head examined,
> because I have personally talked to some 'testers who admit to using as
> much as 5 KW. These are just the ones I have talked to.
>
> It's really no wonder the young guys are skeptical about contesting.
> Every contest is ladended with signals that park in one spot and seem to
> be the only ones heard from dawn to dusk during bad condx.
> I have a modest setup, but certainly never run over legal limit. I don't
> even own an amplifier that is capable of HALF the leagl limit.
> The FUN is gone out of contesting for some people, as it seems that the
> focus has shifted from haveing fun to win win win at all costs.
> [...]
Big Don was at a ham convention back in the 70's where a representative
from, uh, a company that manufactured a 2X8877 (~ 5KW) amplifier allegedly
for "export," was asked how many of these did he think were in use in the
USA (one of them was on display...).
"Hundreds..."
>From Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> Sat Mar 30 04:23:26 1996
From: Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> (Ed Tanton N4XY)
Subject: More Power
References: <960329101337_457845148@mail06>
Message-ID: <315CB73E.796@avana.net>
I don't know that 5KW is all THAT shocking, but feel compelled to point
out it is absolutely illegal. I have never understood the morals, or
character, or whatever, of people who can be proud of a so-called
achievement obtained by illegal means. It isn't a grey area. The law
allows a certain power level, and that is that for me. No offense to
those who are discussing the subject abstractly-and full offense
intended to those who regularly ignore those regulations. Presumably,
those willing to cheat in one category would be perfectly willing in any
other. I guess that says what they are.
--
Ed Tanton N4XY (770) 971-0436 Marietta, GA
email: n4xy@avana.net URL: Coming Soon
>From Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> Sat Mar 30 04:47:11 1996
From: Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> (Ed Tanton N4XY)
Subject: QRO
References: <v01540b09ad805c91e056@[206.28.194.40]>
Message-ID: <315CBCCF.2B38@avana.net>
You are wrong Bill. I personally know three two-hole Alphas in regular
use within 5 miles of my QTH. I think it IS incorrect to pick on
contesters alone for only 2 of the three EVER contest, and only 1 of
those is a SERIOUS contester. The one who does not really contest is the
only one who DOES-to my knowledge-use RG-17, the occasional contester is
thinking about it (and having QRO-related problems), and I simply do not
know about the third-just his amplifier brand. NONE of the three are
involved in RTTY, so it ain't a duty cycle thing. I have to
suspect/expect ANY non-RTTY 'player' who buys (or builds) an amplifier
having 3000W plate dissapation plans to use it-occasionally or often,
it's still against the law and cheating, contest-wise. Personally I just
couldn't enjoy a falsely obtained award. I guess 'they' don't feel like
that. 73
--
Ed Tanton N4XY (770) 971-0436 Marietta, GA
email: n4xy@avana.net URL: Coming Soon
>From ni6t@ix.netcom.com (Garry Shapiro) Sat Mar 30 06:21:50 1996
From: ni6t@ix.netcom.com (Garry Shapiro) (Garry Shapiro)
Subject: Power
Message-ID: <199603300621.WAA05229@dfw-ix11.ix.netcom.com>
You wrote:
>
>How about a contest for real worl ops:
>
>Tribanders at 50 feet
>NO amps allowed
>Wire sloper or dipole on 40 & 80 (one for each band allowed)
>and minimum S7 noise on all bands.
>
>We might find some REAL operators !!!
>
>gl in WPX to all de Bob AA9DX
>
>
Ther IS such a contest!
It is called the World Radiosport Team Championships. Except for the
minimum noise level, your suggested requirements are quite close to
what the invited teams will have to work with. Of course, there is no
such scrutiny on everyone else who enters, but you get the picture.
That's in July, and it is sponsored by the Northern California Contest
Club with over 50 invited teams. The updates appear regularly on this
Reflector.
Garry, NI6T
>From markom@medphys.ucl.ac.uk (Marko Munih) Sat Mar 30 09:56:21 1996
From: markom@medphys.ucl.ac.uk (Marko Munih) (Marko Munih)
Subject: Multi kW power
Message-ID: <9603300956.AA11091@medphys.ucl.ac.uk>
It is one very funny thing,
As was pointed out earlier ...
I can not sustain not to laugh always when I see
multi kW user with tiny (aka RG214) coax leads,
and it happened quite a few times until now.
>From my experience, it is usually possible to make good
score or win with legal limit power, and also being infront
of multi-heat user with approx. equal anntenna setup.
Marko
G/S50K
>From w7ni@teleport.com (Stan Griffiths) Sat Mar 30 13:31:30 1996
From: w7ni@teleport.com (Stan Griffiths) (Stan Griffiths)
Subject: More Power
Message-ID: <199603301331.FAA14049@desiree.teleport.com>
>Presumably,
>those willing to cheat in one category would be perfectly willing in any
>other. I guess that says what they are.
>--
> Ed Tanton N4XY (770) 971-0436 Marietta, GA
> email: n4xy@avana.net URL: Coming Soon
I don't think it follows that those who would exceed the speed limit in
their cars would necessarily cheat on their wives . . . nor would those to
smoke a joint necessarily file a fraudulent tax return . . . nor would those
who run 5 kw necessarily operate sibeband in the cw segment . . . etc. etc. etc.
Stan w7ni@teleport.com
>From fhays@agt.net (Franklin M. Hays VE6NU) Sat Mar 30 16:56:43 1996
From: fhays@agt.net (Franklin M. Hays VE6NU) (Franklin M. Hays VE6NU)
Subject: No subject
Message-ID: <199603301656.JAA26623@agt.net>
nomail
>From silver@ax.apc.org (Carlos Augusto Silveira Pereira) Sat Mar 30 17:56:03
>1996
From: silver@ax.apc.org (Carlos Augusto Silveira Pereira) (Carlos Augusto
Silveira Pereira)
Subject: TS850S Filter
Message-ID: <199603301756.OAA09487@fama.ibase.br>
If you have to buy just one IF Filter for the TS850S (limited budget
reasons) for CW operation, which filter would you buy? Why?
YK-455-C1
YK-455CN-1
YK-88C-1
YK-88CN-1
Thanks for the info in advance!
73,
Carlos - PY1CAS
E-mail: silver@ax.apc.org
>From Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> Sat Mar 30 20:05:27 1996
From: Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> (Ed Tanton N4XY)
Subject: More Power
References: <199603301331.FAA14049@desiree.teleport.com>
Message-ID: <315D9407.249F@avana.net>
Ah but Stan, speeding has nothing to do with cheating on your wife, and
marijuana little to do with tax returns. Excessive/illegal power run
while contesting (or DX'ing) has a direct relationship with ham
radio-after all, why buy it if you're not going to use it, etc. I simply
mean to imply that SOME contesters and SOME DXers DO intentionally defy
the rules, and with that defiance willingly flaunt their disrespect for
the rest of us. Hence I have little or no use for them. Sooner or later
maybe it'll catch up to them, but even if it does not, THEY know they
didn't do it legitimately. It's a matter of character-or the lack
thereof. 73
--
Ed Tanton N4XY (770) 971-0436 Marietta, GA
email: n4xy@avana.net URL: Coming Soon
>From Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> Sat Mar 30 20:16:48 1996
From: Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy@avana.net> (Ed Tanton N4XY)
Subject: More Power
References: <m0u345g-00021AC@cleese.nas.com>
Message-ID: <315D96B0.47FB@avana.net>
Hi Dale... I understand your position... but I also believe that you
either obey the laws or choose to operate outside them. I CHOOSE to obey
them-and to try very hard to change those I really dislike. Often it
gets back to that old saying about worrying about the things you can
change, and not worrying about the ones you cannot. I picked on this
topic to pursue mostly because all this power stuff IS unnecessary. It
IS NOT something that limits our ability to QSO in a contest. It ONLY
determines the order in which we may contact a certain difficult
station, or hold down a certain frequency-neither of which matters one
bit EXCEPT to several greatly inflated egos. I do not personally believe
there is EVER a situation where 1.5KW will not eventually result in a
QSO, nor is there a situation where 5KW will get through when 1.5 NEVER
would have. I can wait my turn, legally. We very well may have too many
laws... but a society without laws is not a society at all. It is
anarchy. Everything after that is a matter of determing the least
intrusive laws that will provide the highest degree of freedom. 5-10 kw
output just isn't in that category. Thanks for your comments & 73.
--
Ed Tanton N4XY (770) 971-0436 Marietta, GA
email: n4xy@avana.net URL: Coming Soon
|