Updates Submitted.
Look for me in FM07th or contact me via ON4KST/SLACK VHF Chat for schedules.
50MHZ - 7el - KW
144MHz - 4x9el - KW EME Capable
222MHz - 4x15el - KW EME Capable
432MHz - 4x21el - KW EME Capable
1296MHz - 2x70el - 450W EME Capable
K3SK - Dave - Farmville VA
FM07th
From: packrats-bounces@mailman.qth.net <packrats-bounces@mailman.qth.net> On
Behalf Of David Petke via Packrats
Sent: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 10:46 AM
To: 'Packrats' <packrats@mailman.qth.net>
Cc: W3SZ <w3sz73@gmail.com>
Subject: [Packrats] ARRL September VHF Contest - Please Enter or Update your
Plans in the W3SZ/K1RZ Database for September 13-15, 2025
PackRats and Friends - VHF Contest Operators and casual VHF operators. The
June VHF Contest is September 13 at 1800 UTC to September 15 at 0259 UTC.
Everyone Entering their Plans lets you all know Where everyone is going to
be and When they will be there. Two functions outlined here: DATA ENTRY /
RETREVAL and ROVER / PORTABLE SITE PLANNING.
DATA ENTRY. The link at https://w3sz.com/k1rz/getUpdateForm.htm You can
select to enter your plan in either UTC (Default) or LOCAL Time (LOCAL must
be chosen at the top of the Data Entry form EACH TIME you enter that form).
If you are a Fixed station or a Rover be sure to set your Start Date-Time
and Stop Date-Time for this contest for each Grid you activate.
DATA RETRIVAL. The link to the File Download to Print Hardcopy in either
CSV or PDF format is https://w3sz.com/k1rz/K1RZDownloadPage.html The
Multi-function Download Window provides Sort selections for Geographic
Lat-Lon Filtering, plus Sorts by Callsign, Grid, Azimuth or TIME. Contest
Bands, Contest Date-Time Filter to select ONLY those stations intending to
be on in THIS CONTEST, and displaying Plans in either UTC -or- Local Time,
plus optional Azimuth Filtering Sorts.
ROVER / PORTABLE SITE PLANNING - the DATABASE MAP EXTENSION.
https://w3sz.com/map.php Making site selection plans is critical to the
success of your PORTABLE or ROVER operations. IF everyone enters their
planned Grid(s) in TEN CHARACTER Grid Format, you will get a more accurate
look at the Path Profile near you, and near a distant station you want to
work. A Double-Click on the other stations marker on the map will show you
the PATH PROFILE pop-up between you and another distant station. As a
Rover be sure to change the INFO Button for each Grid you activate, so that
Azimuth, Distances and Path Profile are correct for you. Note also there
is a TIME SLIDER at the bottom of the map that allows you to focus only on
those stations who plan to be in THIS CONTEST - just CHECK THE BOX at the
right end of the slider and then slide the slider to the beginning DATE-TIME
(in LOCAL Two-Hour time segments) to track Rover plans and Fixed Station
Plans through the contest. Have Fun with the Map Extension!
MAP TUTORIAL. Tutorial links below take you to video's Roger made to show
ALL the MAP EXTENSION capabilities
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhcWbjH-CpxrCOdlLEDECRrED18B4NZ9n.
While hovering your mouse over the map, type the letter "p" to see a List of
Map Keyboard Functions. The Help button at the left end of the Time Slider
will also bring up the Keyboard Function List. An Example of a useful
sequence of Keyboard Functions is "j", "k", "c", and "d": where "j" and "k"
allow entry of two grids up to 10 characters in length, "c" provides the AZ,
Reverse AZ and Distance between the two grids and "d" provides the Path
Profile between the two grids.
MAP AS VISUALIZATION TOOL. After you make your Grid Start/Stop Date-Time
NEW Plan or UPDATE Plan in UTC TIME and DATE -or- LOCAL TIME and DATE,
including your station capabilities for Fixed Stations and Rovers, then go
to the MAP EXTENSION page, RELOAD the Map Page, and "check" what pops up
when you click on other stations markers on the map. You can now
Visualize where all the other stations in the region are, plus see a pop-up
containing how to liaison with each station, their bearing and range from
you, their bands, etc. Plus, if you change the 2-hour local timeslot with
the < > keys you'll see the ROVERS / PORTABLES move across the map.
Thanks Everyone. Have fun in the SEPTEMBER Contest. Make lots of noise.
Listen for the weak ones. Stay-in-the-Seat as long as you can. Operate
ALL MODES available, or ANALOG Only. SSB and CW are still the Fastest QSO
Modes we have. With FT4 as a Possible Exception.
73, Dave K1RZ and Roger W3SZ
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