---------------------
Forwarded message:
Subj: Re: Contesting and the Internet?
From: K7LXC
To: ramirezk@emi.com
In a message dated 96-04-20 22:07:40 EDT, you write:
> Does prohibiting the
>use of Non Radio "Modern Digital technologies" for contesting a detriment
to
>the hobby? Absolutely not. Some of you need to delineate where the RADIO
>hobby
>ends and the COMPUTER hobby begins. When you open the door and blur the line
>you
>are contributing to the eventual extinction of Radio as a means of
>communication
>in our hobby. Eventually we'll all be on the Internet DX 56k line spending
our
>mornings with a cup of Coffee in one hand and typing in "CQ Internet" with
the
>other. Some of you don't know where to draw the line. I'm glad CQ knows
where to
>draw it. Personally ,I will avoid contests where the sponsor allows the use
of
>non-amateur radio means to solicit and make qsos.
> What next? A full T1 hookup to every Amateur in the World to get
on
>the Amateur Operator Digital World Wide Network? You might as well start
>selling your FT1000s and IC-775s right now while they are still worth
>something.
> It might actually come to that if some of you guys have your way. SAVE OUR
>HOBBY from this encroachment of NON RADIO technology.
Ken --
For once, I agree with you. The (successful) use of the landline during
the OH0W effort (Martti calls up and asks if you will please get on the air
and work us?) was the reason that the "non-amateur" rule was instituted. The
commonality with that and the internet is the telephone line -- in my line of
thinking that makes them the same 'non-amateur' means.
73, Steve K7LXC
>From Ronald D Rossi <rrossi@btv.ibm.com> Tue Apr 23 18:37:30 1996
From: Ronald D Rossi <rrossi@btv.ibm.com> (Ronald D Rossi)
Subject: Elevated Guy Anchors
Message-ID: <9604231737.AA19556@btv.ibm.com>
What is the collective thought about using lolly columns...
you know those steel concrete filled posts used to support
the floor above your basement/cellar/what-ever-other-regional
word-for-hole-in-the-ground-under-a-house? $30 for 10 feet
at the first lumber yard I called.
--
73 de N1PBT...ron (rrossi@btv.ibm.com) <><
>From Lee Buller <k0wa@southwind.net> Tue Apr 23 19:23:48 1996
From: Lee Buller <k0wa@southwind.net> (Lee Buller)
Subject: First Contest Station
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19960423182348.00670e90@southwind.net>
The Story....
My introduction into contesting was at W0QQQ (Quack-Quack-Quack) at Kansas
State University in 1972. I had already been a ham for six years spending
most of my time in cw traffic handling in Kansas, Tenth Region Net, Central
Area Net, and TCC on occasion. At the ripe old age of 22, K0BJ (then
WA0TAS) said he was going up to the club station and operating the CW SS
contest. The club had a two element Hygain beam mounted on a tripod and a
Viking Valiant with a 75A4 receiver. Bruce brought his SB101 to the shack
and hooked it all up. A few minutes after the contest started, I was all
hooked up in SS-CW having a ball. We only made a couple of hundred QSOs,
but by the phone weekend, we had installed new dipoles for the low
bands...cleaned up the two element beam...and recruited several more guys.
One student had an old 813 amplifier that ran 500 watts on 80-40-20 and 15.
It weighed a ton, but we moved it out of his trailer house, into the back of
my 64 Chevy and took it to the university where we hauled it up to the
fourth floor of t he engineering building and hooked it directly into the
power panel. POWER! We worked a lot more stations with that set up.
By the time I left school...we had a complete S-Line. A complete Healthkit
twin line. Two amplifiers (pair of 4-400) and a SB-200. A TH-7 on a 50
foot tower on top of the engineering building, and flat top dipoles strung
from different root tops.
From then on I was hooked...and I won't bore you with the rest of the
stations I owned.
Keep them glowing....
Lee Buller
k0wa@southwind.net
ex mbr - W-Zero-Quack-Quack-Quack
>From Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> Tue Apr 23 19:25:25 1996
From: Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> (Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY)
Subject: Elevated Guywire Anchor Posts
References: <199604221627.LAA23771@elvis.chasind.com>
Message-ID: <317D2095.79E5@ripco.com>
Charlie Ocker wrote:
>
> I'd like to bring guywires to elevated posts. Thinking 3 or 4 feet
> above ground.
It's a great way to terminate those pesky guywires. I use this method
along with a great number of local Blackhole stations.
My guy "posts" are made from 8" wide flange, 24-28 lb/foot class,
I-beams. They started life holding up some building. I bought them
locally as scrap and had them cut into 10' lengths. One flange was
removed at the top and holes were bored through to accept the
turnbuckles. The went down into 5' deep, 30" diameter bored holes,
anchored with 1 yard of concrete.
They work NICE and look pretty good too ! Just make sure you use WIDE
FLANGE beams and get a heavy enough wall thickness. The beams are rated
by weight, in lbs/foot. Don't settle for anything less then around 24
lbs/foot. This will give you satisfactory flange and web thickness to
do the job.
They are overkill for the vast majority of amateur installations. Since
you're local, you're welcome to stop by and investigate for your self.
Matter of fact, I have three more assemblies laying in the driveway for
another tower.
Enjoy !
---------------------------###-----------------------------
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 Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> Tue Apr 23 19:38:41 1996
From: Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> (Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY)
Subject: Elevated Guywire Anchor Posts
References: <199604230103.SAA14395@desiree.teleport.com>
Message-ID: <317D23B1.5083@ripco.com>
Stan Griffiths wrote:
>
> Check the Rohn catalog and see how they do it. What do you know.
> They DON'T do it at all.
There's a picture of a elevated guy "stub" using 10" wide-flange beam in
the Rohn commercial tower catalog...
---------------------------###-----------------------------
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 Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> Tue Apr 23 19:45:29 1996
From: Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> (Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY)
Subject: Guy Posts...
Message-ID: <317D2549.6F1C@ripco.com>
If one DOES choose to use pipe (I don't suggest it...), be sure the pipe
is SEAMLESS. I've seen welded guy post pipes split at the seam.
---------------------------###-----------------------------
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 Lee Buller <k0wa@southwind.net> Tue Apr 23 20:01:24 1996
From: Lee Buller <k0wa@southwind.net> (Lee Buller)
Subject: Elevated Guys
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19960423190124.0068491c@southwind.net>
Gentlemen and Ladies...
I just installed elevated guys this last year with my 60 foot tower here in
Kansas. Using 6 inch steel pipe which has a wall thickness of slightly less
that 1/4 inch (almost schedule 80), I buried three feet in the ground with 7
feet sticking up out the ground. (I am 6'4" and do not want to hit my head
ever again on the damn guys!) I dug a SQUARE hole and filled the hole with
concrete six inches from the top of the hole. (If I ever move, I can cut
the pipe off below ground...put dirt over the holes...grow grass...and no
one knows the difference.) I used ship paint to paint the pipes before
pouring concrete to cut down on rust and such. I had "ears" welded onto the
top of the posts where 3/4" hardened bolts go to the turn-buckles. IT took
three guys to move these behemoths to the hole and stand them upright. I
them poured concrete to the top of the posts filling them entirely. The
concrete was cured for three weeks before any stress was placed on the guy
points. The holes are square to keep the turning momentum at a minimum.
My brother who is a PE looked at the installation and said...."the damn
house will go in the tornado, but the tower will still me there." (Would you
trust his engineering license?)
Guy tension is snug, but not tight since I don't want to "compress" the
tower downward into the ground. The idea is to stop the tower from moving
side ways violently at the top and middle in wind. There is some play in
the guys, so there is not all that much pressure against the guy posts.
Since I have installed these guy points (which were my first) we have had at
least 10 days of very heavy wind here...which blew the damn beam off the
tower!!!! Yes, the beam was badly damaged, but the tower stood the test.
This year in Kansas we have had several wind gusts to 70 and 80 MPH in
blowing rain and snow. We've had days where the wind blew constantly at 30
to 50 miles an hour. This went on for more than 24 hours at a time. I keep
a close watch on the guys posts for ground movement and see none.
Total cost: $100.00 (with concrete!)
Guess, I didn't go hight enough with the tower.
73's
Lee Buller
k0wa@southwind.net
>From k7fd@teleport.com (John Nicholson) Tue Apr 23 19:59:42 1996
From: k7fd@teleport.com (John Nicholson) (John Nicholson)
Subject: The Early Years...WA7IHO
Message-ID: <199604231859.LAA05295@desiree.teleport.com>
Sorta fun reading about everyone's start into contesting, so thought I'd
put my two cents worth in...
Don't exactly remember which contest attracted me first, but sorta
think SS...in the late 60s. Cross town rivalry was Jim, now W7EJ. He
used to crap apples when I'd beat him out with my TA-33 jr...loved it!
Then there was the Oregon QSO Party...can't remember the year, maybe
'69 or '70, got together with Scotty now W7SW to mow 'em down from
Jesuit High School...(P.S. Just talked with Scott/MM the other day...
after almost 30 years - wow!)
Later, during my Oregon State days, I met a young buck by the name
of Craig Maxey, now KH8AL. He was still in high school but we got
together for the All Asian CW DX test...we spent more time shooting
baskets in my driveway but still came out as North American leader that
year! Think I was using a TenTec 544...into the battle torn TA33jr again.
After those early high school/college days I concentrated on various
Field Day's with and without clubs...it's still one of my favorite ones.
And SS is a close second. Hey,I even I applied for 'SS, but Danny beat me to it.
Thus I was destined to become and remain K7FD.
73, John
>From Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> Tue Apr 23 19:59:02 1996
From: Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY <blckhole@ripco.com> (Keith Morehouse-WB9TIY)
Subject: Elevated Guy Anchors
References: <23960423144032/0005543629DC2EM@MCIMAIL.COM>
Message-ID: <317D2876.790E@ripco.com>
David & Barbara Leeson wrote:
>
> Lastly, it's customary to throw coin of the realm into the hole before
> pouring concrete; this is an ancient practice that deals with evil
> spirits and noxious rays, so don't cheap out here.
Taking a tip from several sail mariners, I deposited several YA QSL
cards and a disk with a copy of CT in the tower base hole as the
concrete was about to be poured...
---------------------------###-----------------------------
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 Ralph Bowen <rbowen@computek.net> Tue Apr 23 21:09:31 1996
From: Ralph Bowen <rbowen@computek.net> (Ralph Bowen)
Subject: SUMMARY: Force12 Info Request
Message-ID: <199604232009.PAA19693@ns1.computek.net>
I recently posted an inquiry about Force 12 antennas. Unfortunately I
erased my original request, but I do have the replies for the masses. The
concensus is that the antennas perform & hold up well. The negative for me
is that the elements are not at DC ground potential. It would be easy to
short the parasitics to ground, but I don't want to butcher the driven
elements!! Static discharge is incredible at this QTH due to the dry and
windy WX - my HyGain antennas are at least two S units quieter on static
than antennas with "isolated from boom" elements.
73, Gator N5RZ rbowen@computek.net
Here's the replies:
------------------------------------------------------------
>
>At 10:40 AM 4/15/96 -0400, you wrote:
>>In a message dated 96-04-15 10:20:07 EDT, you write:
>>
>>>
>>>6) Assembly & associated quality control? "After the sale" support?
>>>
>>>7) Any other experiences?
>>>
>>
>>Hello Gator,I have 4 of their antennas and seem to be happy with them...but..
>>
>>there were missing parts,outdated assembly manuals,poor before sale support
>>and about the same after the sale..and late delivery time..
>>
>>Tom is a nice guy and I know what he is going through as I have my own small
>>buseness and have the same type of problems as there is not enough time for
>>Me to do it all..This is not an excuse,but a fact when a buseness grows
>>faster than expected..at least I like the antennas!!
>>I wish Force 12 well and hope they get their act together soon..
>>good luck..
>>
>>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>At 08:53 AM 4/15/96 -0500, you wrote:
>>Hi All:
>>
>>I've been re-evluating my antenna setup over the past few months. It looks
>>like in the scheme of my reconfiguration, the Force 12 C-4SXL (2el 40 + core
>>C3 on a single 23' boom) may be a good replacement for my Cushcraft 402CD at
>>112'.
>>
>>Does anyone have experience with this antenna? I am looking for both
>>electrical and mechanical performance items including but not limited to the
>>following:
>>
>>1) Bandwidth on all bands. Especially on 40M. Perfomance on the
>>"non-chosen" mode?
>
>Force 12 states that the only high-band swr-bandwidth compromise for the
>C-3S/C-4SXL is with high-end 10-meter bandwidth. I think they quote SWR
>bandwidth for the 40-meter loaded dipoles in their catalogue. For what it's
>worth, their specs were right on the money with my C-3.
>
>It'd be interesting to try their 2-el 40 on a range, or at least to model
>it. There's a fair bit of degradation of F/B across 20 meters on the C-3,
>which is full-sized, so it stands to reason that the shortened 40 would be
>worse.\
>
>>
>
>>2) Any comparisons to other 40M antennas?
>>
>>3) Mechanical considerations? Any of you had these antennas go through a
>>nasty windstorm?
>>
>My C-3 went through a fairly substantial ice-storm this winter. It appeared
>to follow the bend-but-don't break philosophy. At one point the 20-meter
>elements were bending about 30 degrees. You can get any of their antennas
>ruggedized for higher wind rating, I believe.
>
>
>>4) I would like to continue using my T2X - good enough for this antenna?
>>
>
>Should be - they're very light.
>
>>5) Are the elements (incuding driven element) at DC ground potential?
>
>No -- all of the elements are insulated from the boom.
>
>Other
>>experiences with the feed systems?
>
>The C-3 feed system couldn't be simpler - you just drive the 20-meter driven
>element directly from the 1:1 current balun. It really is a 50-ohm
>feedpoint, and since the C4SXL uses two feedlines, it oughta look like a C-3
>on 20-10.
>
>I have no info on the 40-meter dipole feed system, but plan to order one
>this summer to install on my C-3, turning it into a C-4. Unfortunately, the
>C-4 to C4XL or C4-SXL conversion isn't a field mod. Ah well ...
>
>>
>>6) Assembly & associated quality control? "After the sale" support?
>
>Mostly very positive. I can't imagine ever using anything but pop rivets
>again to assemble elements. Easy and fast, and even if you screw up they're
>easy to drill out and replace. I also love the boom to element brackets,
>which are pop riveted at the factory for perfect alignment, and the cast
>aluminum boom-to-mast mount that really makes it easy to get the antenna up
>on the mast.
>
>Also in their favor is the fact that their antennas are test-assembled at
>the factory and mating sections are all marked. However ... on my antenna
>the pop-rivet holes were evidently hand-drilled, and fairly random. No
>harm, no foul, because as long as you got the pieces together, everything
>fit, but it looked a little scrappy. Some people also worry about the
>effect of sunlight on the pvc pipe that they use to insulate the elements.
>Guess it's too soon to know.
>
>>
>>7) Any other experiences?
>>
>I've found N6BT very accessible and ready to talk about his designs. On
>the other hand, I know they have had delivery problems so you probably
>shouldn't count on their quoted lead-times.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>In a message dated 96-04-15 10:20:03 EDT, you write:
>>Does anyone have experience with this antenna? I am looking for both
>>electrical and mechanical performance items including but not limited to the
>>following:
>
>Hiya, Ralph --
>
> I've spent a bunch of time in the last year with Tom Schiller, installed
>several of his antennas (a C-4XLD in about 10 days) and have recently become
>a Force 12 dealer. To make a long story short, I feel that the era of the
>trapped antenna is coming to a close with the advent of new trapless designs
>such as F12. I've talked to a number of users and they all think that
>they're great (add in a little "newness" factor). If you believe what Tom
>says about his antennas and his competitors, he does make a pretty good case
>for them.
>>1) Bandwidth on all bands. Especially on 40M. Perfomance on the
>"non-chosen" mode?
>
> WA7FOE@aol.com has a 3L. Ron likes it and has a 4 vertical phased
>array to compare it with.
>>2) Any comparisons to other 40M antennas?
>
> More efficient electrical design with low profile mechanical design.
> You've got to discount the F12 gain figures because Tom adds ground gain to
>the final number.
>
>>3) Mechanical considerations? Any of you had these antennas go through a
>>nasty windstorm?
>
> I've heard that Dick K5IU doesn't think that they'll last in Texas but a
>big storm (134 MPH winds) in Schiller's county resulted in only one minor
>mechanical breakdown of his installed antennas. The F12's are made out of
>smaller tubing ala the Cushcraft approach (just let they whip around in the
>wind and shed the wind load) and the 3L 40M was the first one that I've ever
>been able to pick up myself.
>
>ld like to continue using my T2X - good enough for this antenna?
>
> Shouldn't be a problem.
>>5) Are the elements (incuding driven element) at DC ground potential? Other
>>experiences with the feed systems?
>
> Don't remember but will look closely when I install the C-4.
>>6) Assembly & associated quality control? "After the sale" support?
>>
> No big problems that I'm aware of except delivery. BTW, the elements
>are riveted together so you don't have to measure anything except the 40M
>portion.
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I have no direct experience with them but have seen the arrays at KC2X's
>place - he has about a half dozen of their products....they take a different
>approach to antenna design than the one I was reared on...they use
>lightweight and low wind resistance (i.e. smaller tubing) as better....I am
>used to the Telrex mentality using the next size up to ensure it won't
>QFU....of course all our antennas weigh a ton!
>
>The use of severe tapering appears to be a good thing, they use lots of
>tapers every few feet creating elements which seem to bounce around
>less...they are less likely to go boing when flexed...(that's pronounced
>boy-ingk)...when they flex they just seem to fall back to their resting
>position without jumpin around. I like that feature.
>
>The monobanders KC2X has are direct fed, the coax goes straight to the driven
>element - no gammas/or any other matching technique....I am not electrically
>savvy so I do not know how they pull this off....but the simpler something
>that is mechanical in nature is the fewer problems there should be down the
>road , it would seem.
>
>I don't know ship about this antenna but despite the fact that everybody gets
>shitty delivery on F12 antennas, always late, they all say they would buy
>them again....they must be doing something right!
>
>------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>I have a C4XL on the30' boom at 70' and an 80 meter rotatable dipole above it
>on a restricted lot. I replaced a KT 34 XA and a 40-2CD.
>I think that the 40-2CD is a bit better for 40, I found bandwidth from 7.0 to
>7.250 was within acceptable limits. As I remember < 2:1. I also found the
>40-2CD a bit better on 17 and 12 meters. I got most states and over 100
>countries with it, although it does not compare to a mono bander for those
>bands.
>I cannot speak to anyother 40 meter antennae other than my old folded dipole,
>no comparison HI
>I put up these antennae last summer and we have had some good wwinds this
>past winter, although "nasty" I don't know, no tornadoes HI.
>T2X, is that a Tailtwister ?? If so, no problem, that is what I use.
>There is no isolation except for the driven elements and they are fed thru a
>balun. Above all this I have a 26' dual band vhf vertical. So I guess that
>thru teh metal to the rotor etc most is at ground potential.
>Force 12's are very easy to asemble, but get a rivet puller from Sears, half
>the price that they ask at F12. Everything was there and well done. As for
>after service support, have not had any reason to find out.
>Would rather have monos, but for a combination such as mine, it seems to do
>well.
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>>1) Bandwidth on all bands. Especially on 40M. Perfomance on the
>>"non-chosen" mode?
>
>mmmmm - I wonder about this myself. The 40m dipole on the C-4
>does only about 130khz.
>
>>2) Any comparisons to other 40M antennas?
>
>It seems to work.
>
>>3) Mechanical considerations? Any of you had these antennas go through a
>>nasty windstorm?
>
>Not yet but I think it would hold up.
>
>>4) I would like to continue using my T2X - good enough for this
>antenna?
>
>I dont see why not - the Force 12s are light and very low profile.
>
>>5) Are the elements (incuding driven element) at DC ground potential? Other
>>experiences with the feed systems?
>
>Nope - they are ALL insulated. I didnt know this and I am
>not sure I like it.
>
>>6) Assembly & associated quality control? "After the sale" support?
>
>I was VERY impressed while putting the antenna together. I never
>used the tape measure. The rivets are GREAT.
>
>The bandwidth was better then they said it would be on 10/15/20.
>The 40m part looks a little hokey and I think I still like
>the cushcraft better but they do seem to stay up and it is
>all on one boom. If I were putting up antennas it would be
>very high on my list of choices. We went with the C-4 at
>UT because of the low wind load and getting 10-15-20-40 all
>on one boom allowing us to stack 2m and 6m yagis on the mast
>without crowding. I am impressed.
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Hi Gator. I have a c4sxl at about 70' (but on sloping ground so height in
>some directions is less). I replaced a Force 12 stack with it and an 80 m
>dipole and a c3s at 35' for stacking. It's hard to evaluate the
>effectiveness on 40. It is certainly better than my former inverted vee
>(with apex at about 55'), but I don't notice the dramatic difference that I
>did notice comparing the 80m inverted vee to the rotatable dipole. I think
>that is probably because the 80m ant is at a lower height in wavelengths, so
>the inv. vee was a poor performer compared to the rotatable diple only 10'
>higher than the vee's apex..
> Mechanically it is very strong, though I've only had it up since last
>November and we haven't haad any horrible wind storms since then. A T2
>should turn it easily. I have it tuned for CW, but it runs easily thru a
>tuner on phone. Generally speaking, all force 12 designs are excellent both
>mechanically and electrically, in my experience.
> Due to it's smaller size, I doubt the c4sxl will outperform a 402cd, but
>you do get the other bands also. Let me know if I can give you more info.
>
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>Just got back from Visalia '96. (Funny, seems like I saw YOU there the last
>time I attended in 1993...)
>
>The Force 12 boys had their crankup on display with the beam you mentioned.
>It looks cool, lots of wierd looking elements on a reasonably long boom.
>
>However, the thing looks awful fragile. The 40M elements are about the dia-
>meter of the elements on my homebrew 15M beams - no kidding! Force 12
>obviously is counting on the linear loading trusses to hold things up.
>
>I would never consider installing one of these antennas up here in W8. The
>ice would kill it, particularly if it collects on the truss wires. A
>Cushcraft 40-2CD looks like a Telrex in comparison...
>
>Just my opinion - I'd hate to have N5RZ QRT due to wx damage.
>
>
>
>
>From Ward Silver <hwardsil@wolfenet.com> Tue Apr 23 21:22:51 1996
From: Ward Silver <hwardsil@wolfenet.com> (Ward Silver)
Subject: Elevated Guy Anchors
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.93.960423131932.3261A-100000@gonzo.wolfenet.com>
On Tue, 23 Apr 1996, David & Barbara Leeson wrote:
> Lastly, it's
> customary to throw coin of the realm into the hole before pouring concrete;
> this is an ancient practice that deals with evil spirits and noxious rays,
> so don't cheap out here.
>
I recommend a QSL card from each of the seven continents, don't forget
Antarctica, and one of your own. Much more likely to please Flayer, the
god of the ionosphere. I don't know what would appease Murphy...maybe cut
yourself while putting the cards in the hole ;-)
73, Ward N0AX
>From Bill Fisher KM9P <km9p@contesting.com> Tue Apr 23 21:35:33 1996
From: Bill Fisher KM9P <km9p@contesting.com> (Bill Fisher KM9P)
Subject: Multi's & Assistance
Message-ID: <Pine.BSD/.3.91.960423163224.21112A-100000@paris.akorn.net>
Everyone knows who the top multi-op's are every year. Why don't you guys
have a gentlemans agreement that this year in the CQWW contests you won't
use packet or any other form of assistance?
I say it's better test of the operators if you do it this way and
probably more fun.
73
Bill, KM9P
>From Alan Benoit <abenoit@tucker.com> Tue Apr 23 21:40:45 1996
From: Alan Benoit <abenoit@tucker.com> (Alan Benoit)
Subject: NEW TUCKER ELECTRONICS WEB SITE!
Message-ID:
<c=US%a=_%p=Tucker_Electroni%l=TUCK_DALS1-960423204045Z-28@tuck_dals1.tucker.com>
Attention Contesters:
Tucker Electronics is proud to announce our new web-site at:
WWW.TUCKER.COM
Easy to remember, huh? Our new web site is the most advanced web site
to date by an Amateur Radio retailer. It features all of the products
in our inventory on-line with pictures, descriptions and PRICES. It
also features over 900 products we are closing out with deeply
discounted prices (which will also appear in our new Spring Catalog in a
few weeks, so check out our web site before they are sold out). Also
shown will be our large inventory of used equipment. In addition, we
have a special section for newcomers to our hobby and a special section
devoted to our Authorized Kenwood/Icom Service Center. Everything will
be updated constantly, so put us in your bookmarks and check back often.
We would like all of you who have web pages to link to our site. We
will be happy to link to your page from our site if you will send us
your address to my e-mail address above.
Please send your questions, comments and suggestions to my e-mail
address above. You can also send your "don't use this reflector for
commercial purposes" flames to me as well.
Thanks for the bandwith,
Alan Benoit, WQ5W
Contester,
Merchandising Manager for Tucker Electronics (in my spare time)
>From David Clemons <dave@egh.com> Tue Apr 23 21:29:27 1996
From: David Clemons <dave@egh.com> (David Clemons)
Subject: the early years at K1VUT
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9604231623.A3399-0100000@newman.egh.com>
Hi,
Boy, these dicussions do bring back old memories! I have been
holding off until now, but can't resist the temptation to stroll down
memory lane any longer.
I was licensed as KN1VUT in 1962. In 1963 I upgraded to General
because my father forced me to do so. (At the time I was less than
pleased, but not long afterward I realized what a favor he did me. His
call was K1HNP, now AD1Z, but he does not do much in contests.)
My first rcvr was a NC-150 (??? - a small blue box), and that was
complemented with a HT-40 (kit which I built, after which Dad fixed all my
lousy solder joints - after all, I was only 12 years old.) We had
various wires around the yard, as well as a homebrew 2 element triband
quad at 50 feet. The spreaders were made of bamboo, and I seem to
remember the wires or bamboo broke about every other winter. All this
equipment probably seems pretty modern compared to what some of you
started out with, but I had the benefit of a Dad who was interested in
the hobby. Without him I would never have even become a ham.
My first exposure to contesting was about 1964. I was a member
of the Massasoit Amateur Radio Club - perhaps one of the biggest and most
active in New England at the time. There were several contesters who
were my teenage idols. Pete Butler (then W1BPW, I forget his incentive
upgraded call) won at least one E MA SS certificate and was often #2 or
#1 in the ARRL DX contests at the time. (Jim, currently K1NA - I forget
his old call, was Pete's main competition.) My other hero was Don Benecchi
(then W1WLZ, now K1DC) and he also won at least one E MA SS certificate
and perhaps some DX contests as well. I operated SS regularly during the
mid 1960s (CW), but the best I ever did was about 160 contacts. I really
should have watched the pros - being self taught can have its drawbacks. The
first contest certificate I won was in the 1968 W/VE contest for MA or EMA.
This was a big thrill for a 17 year old. I think I worked all VE
districts, including VE0 (/MM) and probably had 110 contacts or so.
I then took a sabbatical from the hobby about a year before
getting married, and came back again in 1978. To think I almost let my
license expire! (I was quite poor when first married, and if I hadn't
heard that the FCC was no longer charging, I probably would have let it go.)
I bought a modern rig (TS-520s !) and got back into the hobby, and
immediately into SS again. I even graduated from a hand key to automatic
keyer about 1979! Well, enough reminiscing...
73, Dave Clemons K1VUT
>From David Robbins <ky1h@berkshire.net> Tue Apr 23 22:50:19 1996
From: David Robbins <ky1h@berkshire.net> (David Robbins)
Subject: Multi's & Assistance
References: <Pine.BSD/.3.91.960423163224.21112A-100000@paris.akorn.net>
Message-ID: <317D509B.1BA5@berkshire.net>
Bill Fisher KM9P wrote:
>
> Everyone knows who the top multi-op's are every year. Why don't you guys
> have a gentlemans agreement that this year in the CQWW contests you won't
> use packet or any other form of assistance?
>
> I say it's better test of the operators if you do it this way and
> probably more fun.
>
> 73
>
> Bill, KM9P
because being able to communicate with other contesters during the
contest is part of the fun. and packet makes that easy to do without
wasting time talking when you should be cq'ing or s&p'ing. it also
provides a good way for those non-top of the pile stations to pick up
information straight from the top guys in real time which can help over
all club scores.
73, dave
--
ky1h@berkshire.net or robbins@berkshire.net
http://www.berkshire.net/~robbins/ky1h.html
>From pib2822@comune.bologna.it (Claudio Veroli I4VEQ) Tue Apr 23 23:43:59 1996
From: pib2822@comune.bologna.it (Claudio Veroli I4VEQ) (Claudio Veroli I4VEQ)
Subject: J56CK WPX 96
After the operation from 5H3CK Mafia Isl. Tanzania in the WPX contest 1995
I was so enthusiast to operate from Africa that I decided to plan another
activity from that area in the '96 edition. I'd like to try from the west
Africa and my travel agent offered me a trip to a little island in Guinea
Bissau. Suddenly I tried to get a license to operate from J5 and I received
the call J56CK, the QTH was Maio island.
It 'd be the first Contest Expedition by the new Marconi Contest Club.
I planned an all band operation but the dreadful scarcity of fuel in the
island limited the electric supply to 10/11 hours for day, so I decided to
try only a single band effort and chose the 15 meters that often offered
good openings to JA's and W's. To operate from those remote African Islands
is always very difficult, and problems are always behind the corner. The
final result was good , the rare prefix J56, the country and the operation
from a little African island assured me a good pile up.
Final score of J56CK in the WPX Phone 1996 was:
QSO 2050
Points 6080
Mult 620
Score 3.769.600
Single operator /Single band 15 meters .
QSL cards to I4LCK. See you next year!! GL de Franco I4LCK.
More details and photos will be soon available at the Marconi Contest Club
WEB pages :
http://milano.pandora.it/MCC
or e.mail: pib2822@iperbole.bologna.it (I4VEQ/IQ4A)
>From Larry Tyree <n6tr@akorn.net> Tue Apr 23 23:47:37 1996
From: Larry Tyree <n6tr@akorn.net> (Larry Tyree)
Subject: Internet Sprint this weekend!
Message-ID: <199604232247.SAA22640@paris.akorn.net>
TENTH INTERNET CW SPRINT CONTEST
Contest period: 01:00:00Z to 03:00:00Z on Sunday April 28th UTC. This
is Saturday evening in the USA.
Bands: 40 and 20 meters only (this is a real radio contest, no internet).
Suggested frequencies are 7030-7050 and 14030-14050.
Max power output: 150 watts at transmitter output connector.
Exchange: Consecutive QSO number (starting with one), name and state
or province or DXCC country (if outside W/VE). The name for
the first QSO is your name. For every QSO afterwards, the name
you send is the name you received in the previous QSO.
Call: CQ INT
The standard sprint QSY rule must be followed. This means that if you
solict a QSO (ie: with CQ or QRZ), after completing the QSO, you must
QSY at least 1 kHz before calling another station, or 5 kHz before
solicting another QSO.
Both callsigns must be sent during the exchange. Only one signal at a
time please and all QSOs are to take place on CW. All information
submitted must have been decoded during the contest. The use of post
contest detection or verification techniques or systems is not allowed.
Also, do not make round robin type QSOs. It will be very easy to spot
these with the names floating around. A round robin QSO is one where
you should QSY, but instead hang around to work the station who is
QSOing the station you gave the frequency to.
You may work the same station multiple times provided they are separated
by at least 3 other QSOs in both logs (regardless of band). For example,
if WN4KKN works N6TR, KKN must work at least 3 other stations before he
can work TR again. TR must also work 3 stations before working KKN
again. Changing bands does not eliminate the three QSO requirement.
The three QSOs must not be dupes themselves.
You must not work the same station or stations using any kind of schedule
or system. It is the intent of the dupe rule to make sure we don't run out
of stations to work. It is NOT the intent of this rule for you to change how
you would operate the contest if dupes were not allowed. If, in the log
checkers opinion, you have not lived up to the intent of this rule, your
log will be disqualified!!
Total score is the number of contacts you make. Any QSO found to be
defective in anyway will be removed from both logs (yes, if someone
miscopies your exchange, you won't get credit for the QSO, so QRS a
bit!!).
Please refrain from using vulgar or inappropriate names. If you receive
one of these names, feel free to either edit it or replace it with your
starting name. Make sure to make a note in your log so we know what you did.
Injecting the contest with an inappropriate name (in the log checker's
opinion) will result in a 1000 point penalty per occurrence. Examples of
inappropriate names may be found on MTV and generally start with the
letter "B".
Additional penalties will be assessed to people who work a significant number
of QSOs, but don't turn a log in. They will be given minus one point
for each QSO that we can verify actually occurred.
Logs must be sent in ASCII format via internet to n6tr@contesting.com within
72 hours of the end of the contest. Figuring out how to send in your
log on the internet is PART OF THE CONTEST. If you need help, we will
try to assist the best we can.
Logs must show the band, time, station worked, number sent, number received,
name received and QTH received for each QSO. Also, please tell me the
name you start the contest with. We will assume the name you send is the
name received on your previous QSO, so you don't have to show that.
Results will be publised on CQ-CONTEST within 2 weeks of the contest. Logs
are checked using the K2MM LogZap software system. All checked logs will
be made available by FTP except for those requested by the submitter to
be kept private. Decisions of the judging committe are final and arbitrary.
Good luck, tell a friend and HAVE FUN!!
Tree N6TR
tree@contesting.com
>From jfunk@adams.net (jim funk) Tue Apr 23 23:51:20 1996
From: jfunk@adams.net (jim funk) (jim funk)
Subject: early stuff
Message-ID: <9604232251.AA09584@golden.adams.net>
As we say, "I can contain myself no longer":
After a couple of years of BCB DXing on every available radio around
the premises, I bought a Knight-Kit Star Roamer in 1963 or 64. My dad talked
me into getting a radio with the shortwave bands covered. Somewhere along
the line I stumbled onto the ham bands, became enthralled with 15 meter DX
listening and began learning the code on my own. (OK, my mother helped
some...why, I don't know...same reason she helped me with geometry, I guess
:-) )
When I got ready to take the Novice test, I acquired a Callbook and
looked up the first ham (alphabetically) with a Quincy IL address: K9AAJ
(big into VHF and a recent SK). He introduced me to two other locals, one
of whom gave me my test. A Knight-Kit T60 was constructed whilst waiting
for the good word from FCC. I received WN9OBP on Lincoln's Birthday in 1965
at age 16. Oldest daughter (N9IQV) was born on the 11th anniversary of my
first license...we both celebrate.
I called CQ and CQ'ers for days without results for days. Dad
finally checked my soldering and I had hooked the output cable directly to
ground. It worked better with two wires switched. First contacts were made
answering stations calling "CQ NR"; I had no clue what they meant and no
doubt antagonized quite a few of them. If you're out there, please forgive
me....
Three months later, the Conditional license. By this time, by
younger brother had gotten tired of being awakened in the middle of the
night by clicking of the straight key for no reason and had become WN9QNM
out of a sense of self-preservation. We had a great arrangement; I operated
and broke stuff and he fixed it. He still fixes stuff as WY0L. First
contest was the Illinois QSO Party where most of the contacts were on 75
meter AM, but I worked about four log pages worth in a weekend and was
thrilled to pieces. We started a tradition of loading the gear (now
including a DX60-A, HR10-B and 180+ pounds of BC779B) into the back of the
farm pickup and heading for a nearby state park to do Field Day.
College brought operation in Ham Heaven at W9YH in Urbana: Drake
twins, an amp and an open-wire-fed antenna at 130 feet. I stumbled onto
CQWW SSB in the fall of 68 and worked sixty or seventy countries in an
evening. The other guys in the club thought I was faking it when they saw
the log.
Favorites now include SS CW and any 160 CW test. Still waiting for
the day when I can get all six hams in the house active for one contest.
Thanks for the bandwidth.
73, Jim N9JF
Jim Funk - Amateur Radio N9JF - Rare Birds and Brown Cows, Ltd.
>From Randy Thompson <k5zd@ultranet.com> Wed Apr 24 00:06:56 1996
From: Randy Thompson <k5zd@ultranet.com> (Randy Thompson)
Subject: Elevated Guy Anchors
Message-ID: <01BB3148.7FC45440@k5zd.ultranet.com>
>
>
> ----------
> From: David & Barbara Leeson[SMTP:0005543629@mcimail.com]
> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 1996 10:40 AM
> To: cq-contest@tgv.com
> Subject: Re: Elevated Guy Anchors
>
<snip>
> More rebar rather than too little is always good insurance. The lightning
> ground rod goes outside the concrete in general practice. Lastly, it's
> customary to throw coin of the realm into the hole before pouring concrete;
> this is an ancient practice that deals with evil spirits and noxious rays,
> so don't cheap out here.
>
In South Texas, it was always customary to bury a JA card under the concrete
in each hole! I can testify that DL cards seem to work very well under
towers here...
Randy Thompson
K5ZD
E-mail: k5zd@ultranet.com
11 Hollis Street, Uxbridge, MA 01569
h (508) 278-2355 w (508) 543-8600 x-260
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