ARRL VHF QSO PARTY SEPT. 1995
Call: WZ1V Section: CT Grid: FN31
Mode: SSB Category: Single Operator
BAND QSO QSO PTS GRIDS
50 105 105 30
144 238 238 34
222 60 120 21
432 94 188 27
903 20 60 11
1.2 35 105 15
-----------------------------------
Totals 552 816 138 = 112,608
Condx here were blaagh! I was QRT most of the day Sunday, but don't
think I missed much. OK gang, Send me your scores & breakdowns and I
will once again attempt to create a one page 'rumoured' summary
of top ten scores in each class. I have a dozen or so already.
_\\///_
secretary: (' O O ') North East Weak Signal group, ARRL affil.
---------------ooO-(_)-Ooo--------------------------------------------
| 73 de Ron WZ1V, email: klimas@uhavax.hartford.edu |
| Grid FN31mp 6-1296 BBS: 203-768-4758 (weeknights/weekends only) |
| N.E.W.S. group Web Page: http://uhavax.hartford.edu/newsvhf |
----------------------------------------------------------------------
>From kiddi@marel.is (Kristinn Andersen) Mon Sep 11 13:24:49 1995
From: kiddi@marel.is (Kristinn Andersen) (Kristinn Andersen)
Subject: Performance of 5/8 verticals for HF?
Message-ID: <9509111242.AA19800@marel.is>
Has anyone had any experience with or comments on using a 5/8 wavelength
vertical for HF? Unlike some commercial verticals, I am considering a
single-band trapless antenna for 20m for the contest season. I would mount
it on the top of the house and simply use the sloping metal roof (about
15x15m or 45x45ft) for counterpoise. I am wondering if going to the 5/8
length from the 1/4 wavelength would give me significant advantage in terms
of low-angle radiation, and also if my roof counterpoise is likely to be
effective. The surrounding ground is "average or less", rough lava terrain,
but I am located in a slight slope with the open ocean only about 300m away
towards west. I´ve done some ELNEC analysis but the results don´t seem to
be very impressive (for either 1/4 or 5/8, which probably explains why "real
contesters" use yagis and other "real antennas").
Please respond directly: kiddi@marel.is
73 de TF3KX
>From morpheus@kuwait.net () Mon Sep 11 17:02:27 1995
From: morpheus@kuwait.net () (morpheus@kuwait.net ())
Subject: New prefix!!!
Message-ID: <m0ss8VR-0003mdC@access.kuwait.net>
hi all,
A New prefix will sign here in kuwait, the call will be (9K0A) for the first
time in kuwait!! it will be operated by 9K2HN, whatch for it this week and
in the CQ WW SSB Contest and in the special events, the QSL card will be via
9K2HN by the bureau or direct to:-
Hamad J. Al-Nusif
P.O.Box:29174
13152, Safat
Kuwait
the QSL cards will be ready in the next week.
thank you
de 9K2HN
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
9K2HN | E-Mail: morpheus@kuwait.net |
Hamad Al-Nusif |--------------------------------------------------<
Kuwait City | This space is intentionaly left empty |
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>From R. Torsten Clay" <torsten@mephisto.physics.uiuc.edu Mon Sep 11 14:43:18
>1995
From: R. Torsten Clay" <torsten@mephisto.physics.uiuc.edu (R. Torsten Clay)
Subject: N4OGW Sprint
Message-ID: <199509111343.AA14163@mephisto.physics.uiuc.edu>
N4OGW/9 (IL) Sprint
246/41 = 10086
Approximate breakdown (by memory):
80 81
40 101
20 64
-------------------
246/41
Omni 6 + SB1000 (~500w), C-line
Assorted tree-assisted wires:
95' dipole up 65' (80/40/20...)
20m trigonal beam at 40'
40/80 wire vertical
A fun time...mults I heard but missed were VE3/7. Tried
some late bandswitching, picked up a few extra q's/mults that way. Skip on
20/40 was too long as usual for the midwest.
Tor
n4ogw@uiuc.edu
>From Moore, Frank (Hdw Eng)" <fhmoore@po7.pcmail.ingr.com Mon Sep 11 14:52:00
>1995
From: Moore, Frank (Hdw Eng)" <fhmoore@po7.pcmail.ingr.com (Moore, Frank (Hdw
Eng))
Subject: KE4GY Puny Sprint Score
Message-ID: <30543F60@hubsmp2.pcmail.ingr.com>
KE4GY Sprint Score 158x38 (if I remember right)
100w
A3 at 30'
40/80 wires
20 33 qs
40 about 70 qs
80 about 50 qs
I sure wish we could have called it quits after about 25 minutes (I had 22
qs and thought that this was going to be fun). Then the bottom fell out!!! I
guess I had worked most of the easy 6s and Bill is right, I never work
backscatter 20m qs with 100 watts and a low A3. Anyway 35 minutes and 11 qs
later and I can't wait for 40 meters to start up. The result was 158 x 38.
Just about my usual performance ho hum. Some guys want to break 300, I'll be
glad when I finally do 200. My operating was as poor as my qso total. Sorry
for all the fills guys. Last working CW during Field Day isn't enough to
help my proficiency much. It is interesting to hear the high power guys'
comments about low power sprint. I've never worked sprint with anything but
100w, a low A3 and wires. I will be glad with I get the 940 to work with
KC4ZVs amp. Since the high power guys have done 100w it seems the least I
could do is try an amp and big antennas :) I'll get beat there too but it
would be nice to live on the other side of the tracks someday :)
Frank, KE4GY fhmoore@ingr.com
>From David C. Patton" <mudcp3@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu Mon Sep 11 15:37:08 1995
From: David C. Patton" <mudcp3@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu (David C. Patton)
Subject: Sprint reflections
Message-ID: <199509111437.JAA16212@ecom3.ecn.bgu.edu>
The Derrick team with the long calls and name contrivances were
amusing. I admit chuckling. And Gator's bug sounded great--that was
worth it alone.
I got on from home with my 40M dipole at 30 feet. Logged on paper as
usual, and sent everything manually. As I tuned around it was
obvious scores were down, activity was down, but condx were ok.
I must agree with AB6FO that the sprint is a "real" contest. The
naming "theme" games have been going on a long time, and do not
bother me. I have obviously been part of those in the past. I
remember a time when several of us in the upper midwest were qute
serious about the sprint. I couldn't wait for it to occur. In
February of 1992 the Society of Midwest Contesters organized a large
effort of getting people on the air for the sprints--to increase
activity and introduce new people to the contest. It worked. All
the midwestern state records on CW, the national record, and others
came from that weekend with all the increased activity. Of course
many of those ops have never operated again--some gave up radio! But
that seems like the best way to gain new blood.
It's a good thing that Lew was out of town this weekend. Cuz I would
have been rather disappointed to go to VX and make 300 Qs, and win a
meaningless contest cuz all my competition was taking three steps
backwards!
I don't mind (probably nobody minds) having fun with the
contest--goofy names, themes, etc., but I feel that this practice is
dangerous in that it causes one to lose the urge to compete and
displaces some of the integrity of the contest. Rather than boost
activity as has been suggested this type of "game" whereby the usual
winners can pretend they are operating the 1974 sprint and still kick
just about everybody's butt will tend to reduce future activity IMHO.
The Sprint isn't an equitable contest. Not just anybody can win. I
think that is why I like it so much. But we cannot just shrug-off
the guys who are always there in the lower two thirds, or the guys
who just give us points so we can battle each other.
Or more guys like me will just SIGH and go over to 2M SSB in the VHF
contest with its extremely slow rates, but where EACH contact is
really worth something.
At least, in the future, I ask that if a large enough group of ops
decides to manipulate the contest in such a way that the competitive
nature of the event is changed, please publicize it so I or others do
not go ahead and spend time or money or energy to really try. I have
planned to build a nice van-trailer station that I could drive to
rare states for the sprint etc. Maybe not anymore.
73, Dave Patton, WX3N
mudcp3@uxa.ecn.bgu.edu
>From De Syam <syam@Glue.umd.edu> Mon Sep 11 15:55:38 1995
From: De Syam <syam@Glue.umd.edu> (De Syam)
Subject: All-Asia DX; LZDX Test; EUFD SSB: K3ZO Results & Comments
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950911100441.2744A-100000@mocha.eng.umd.edu>
The weekend of Sept. 2/3 was a banner one for me: Three contests that
fit my definition of "fun".
For someone that lives on the East Coast, it is always a challenge to see
how well one can do in an Asian contest. Thus I always try to
participate in the All Asia DX Contest; it has been a tradition of mine
for years. Last year I happened to be in Thailand at the time so I
participated from the other end as HS0ZAR. This year I was back here at
home.
It was practically a 20-meter-only contest, even though I was in the all-band
category, as can be seen from the line score:
Band QSO Prefixes
40 2 2
20 232 91
-----------------------------------------
Totals 234 93 = 21,762 points,
final score
40 meters: Conditions to Japan were quite good the first day but only
JA8NFV was listening up and CQ'ing. Finally in desperation I called a
few CQ's of my own and JH7JGG was the only one who responded to that.
The second day I called JH1AEP and JA1YXP in vain. While I could not
raise JH1AEP with my 3-el Telrex at 94 feet, W2ONV got him without much
effort. I didn't know "your friend Bill" had such a big antenna array on
40 meters (!)
K7SV tells me P39P and other mideast stations were workable on 40 in the
evenings, but the second evening I was engaged in the LZDX Test (see
below) so wasn't listening on SSB.
20 meters: Since the K-index stayed nice and low the whole weekend,
conditions over the pole were excellent both days. There was a weak but
usable evening opening to Japan from 0030-0300 GMT, and the first night I
was able to run about 20 JA's in between working the loud UA9/0 and UN
stations. But the morning opening, although shorter than it was back in
July during the IARU contest, was very good, lasting from 1100-1330 GMT
with the peak signals noted about 1145. Some JA's were 40 over 9 at the
peak (hello JR5JAQ!). Some of the nicer catches were: 9M2CW, UA0YAY
(Zone 23), JT1BY, VS6AK, 3W5FM, C47W, P39P, VS6WO, A70ID and A92Q
(Admiral Scotty Redd, K0DQ). Tremendous dymnamic range in the
signals from Japan; a 40-over-9 signal can be followed by one that
doesn't even move the meter. Probably the difference between a TL-922
and monobander and 10 watts to an indoor dipole. Fortunately the warm,
humid weather this summer has kept the line noises pretty much under control
so I could hear the weak ones.
LZ DX Contest:
I like this contest too because the LZ gang really turns out for it and
there is plenty of activity. At the same time it's a relaxed contest so
you have time to listen to the band and see what's happening. Some of
the competition was on briefly, running LZ's and others to see whether
the antenna systems are ready for the coming season, and it gave me a
chance to see how my TS-830-S stacks up against what they're using. I
was satisfied; in every case I could hear everything they worked and
copied one of two stations that they didn't.
Here are my results:
Band QSO Mult
80 53 5
40 148 12
20 168 11
15 1 1
Totals 370 29
Final Score: 40,919 points
I did mostly S&P as was interested to work mainly stations that were
actually participating in the contest. When things got slow I did a bit
of running.
Here are comments band-by-band:
80 meters: All but one of the 53 QSO's were Europeans. Even though
still suffering from storm damage of two years ago, the 3-el 80 meter KLM
at 140 feet worked well enough with the help of an antenna tuner
(passive, not active!). All Europeans called came back except for two HA's.
40 meters: Great conditions into Europe and even got an RZ9. My house
guest LU3HAK and I took time out to look at the Radio Vatican noise more
closely. Actually Radio Vatican cuts its carrier on 7305 at about
0357 GMT and returns to the air on 7360 KHz at about 0400 GMT. During
the time the carrier was cut, the noise went away; as soon as it came
back, the noise returned.
20 meters: Conditions were OK and the band opened as early as 1000 GMT
to Europe. Stayed open as late as 2200 GMT.
15 meters: Only LZ5W was worked; I couldn't raise LZ6A though I could
hear them. Believe others could have been worked if they had been on
the band at the right time.
And when things were otherwise slow between the above two contests, I
worked 72 Europeans in the SSB version of their Field Day, all on 20 meters.
All in all, a very entertaining weekend.
Very 73,
Fred Laun, K3ZO
>From De Syam <syam@Glue.umd.edu> Mon Sep 11 16:14:22 1995
From: De Syam <syam@Glue.umd.edu> (De Syam)
Subject: ARRL September VHF QSO Party: K3ZO results and comments.
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950911105543.2744B-100000@mocha.eng.umd.edu>
Here is the line score, multiband/single operator, 6 and 2 meters only.
Band QSO grids
6 94 31
2 203 40
Totals 297 71 = 21,087 points, final score
Comments: I had hoped that the presence of a hurricane off the Atlantic
coast would enhance tropo conditions as is frequently the case with such
storms, but the same low pressure system that kept the storm away from us
also broke up the possibility of tropo enhancement from it. I started
the contest on 2 meters with the beam south, hoping to take advantage of
any storm enhancement, and indeed for the first hour or so there may have
been an enhancement into FM-14 and FM-15. Worked several stations in
that area and their signals seemed to be slightly above normal. But
after that no enhancement effect was noted in any direction.
To the northeast signals actually seemed below normal the first day,
although the absence of line noise due to the hot, humid weather at least
made it possible to copy the signals that were there. The second day saw
fall-like dry, breezy weather and the line noises all returned from
their summer vacations! Signals were louder but so were the noises!
Six-meter meteor scatter Sunday morning was OK, but not many
participants, particularly in the Southeast. Where were all the GA/FL
gang? The W9/W0 areas on the other hand were pretty well represented on
scatter.
I was hampered by not having a working selsyn on the prop pitch rotator
which turns the 145-foot-high 18-element M-Squared (along with a few
large HF antennas). So though the antenna turned I had no indicator.
It was nice having the multi stations which seemed to stay on the same
frequency all the time; they helped tell me where my antenna was pointed
without my having to take a look outside. (K3MQH on 144215 = North; W4IY
on 144170 = West, etc.) When the line noises returned, they helped me
know where I was pointing too (zero degrees is just clockwise from the
buzz-saw; 50 degrees is just where the buzz-buzz pulse begins to drop
off, etc.) Never thought I would have anything good to say about line
noise!
The contest was a bit slow this time, but interesting nevertheless.
Very 73,
Fred Laun, K3ZO
|