ARRLDXCW Score Summary Sheet
Start Date : 2007-02-16
CallSign Used : PI4TUE
Operator(s) : CLAUDIA, ON9CC, PA3FGA, PA5MW, PC5A,
Band : ALL
Power : HIGH
Mode : CW
Default Exchange : 400
Gridsquare : JO21RK
Name : ESRAC
Address : EHOOG 13.19
POBOX 513
City/State/Zip : EINDHOVEN 5600MB
Country : NETHERLANDS
ARRL Section : DX
Club/Team :
Software: N1MM Logger V7.0.0
Band QSOs Pts Sec
1.8 97 291 27
3.5 300 900 42
7 614 1842 45
14 688 2064 56
21 464 1392 46
Total 2163 6489 216
Score : 1,401,624
Rig : ORION , single tube amp 400W
Antennas : 3-bander@ 220ft, dipoles 40/80mtr@ 220ft, sloper 160m
Soapbox :
For many years now PI4TUE (ESRAC; Eindhoven Student Radio Amateur Club) is a
regular entry in the ARRL contests and also this year we made a serious effort.
Contesting involves operators and builders. Sometimes however, out of
necessity, a mixture of both. The organisation requires that sufficient
attention be given in building the station. In particular if thereâs need for
improvements (isnât there always..?) This time we experimented extensively
with low band RX antennas, our weakest point, at the contest location of
PI4TUE. A few weeks ago we put up a K9AY rx antenna on the north side of the
roof (13x16m, 43x53ft) along with 8 radials as an artificial ground. The K9AY
was first seriously tested during last weeks PACC contest and showed an
improvement in S/N in comparison to the TX antennas but hardly any directivity.
Meanwhile we successfully experimented with short (6m, 20ft) verticals out on
the ground, made to resonate on 160m. Their short length picks up little
garbage and now we could hear the dx even better.
So, on Friday before the contest with the four of us we started to put up the
following antennaâs: the K9AY which we took down from the roof, and planted
it on a stretch of lawn in front of the building including 4 buried radials and
a 80cm copper pipe as grounding point. We did not dare to hammer it any deeper
since we were afraid we might hit any utilities or the European Internet
backbone (ESRAC is located on the campus of the Eindhoven University of
Technology). At a short distance we put a single 6m long vertical for 160m with
the same type of ground system. From the roof top 2 coax cables of each 200m
were carefully rolled out from two large spools and lowered to the ground (some
65m, 213 feet from roof to ground). Three hours later, around 18:00 local after
having burned some calories both RX antennas were ready to be tested.
Apart from these experiments on RX antennas we also brought a Ten Tec Orion and
a single tube PA for 160m-10m. All of this was hooked up quickly and before we
give Murphy any chance at all we decide to go out for our traditional
pre-contest dinner at a nice local Italian restaurant.
Armed with an overdose of garlic in our belly we start the final preparations
in the shack. The Orion needs a complete new set of wires and cables compared
to the old TS950 to hook it up. Meanwhile to be on the safe side we replace a
PL259 connector that has a loose shield with a brand new silver Teflon
connector. Looking at all the equipment needed for the selectable RX antennas,
headphone distributor, TX mute and K9AY control, the total is becoming a giant
web of cables and connectorsâ butâ IT ALL WORKS!
Next we started testing the PA. It went smoothly untilâ a red flashing light
and SWR 1:4â âHello Mr. Murphy, thou are back in time, as usual.â The
160m sloper (1/4 wave end fed wire sloping down from 250 feet to 80 feet)
appeared broken! Rens and Aurelio headed up to the roof to check all cables,
which were repaired last year by Jons and Mark. T-minus-1 hour and we finally
managed to squeeze one end of the coax inside to check for the open connection.
Eventually the fault is not at the far end of the coax but at the short end in
the shack (off course)â the newly soldered PL259. Because itâs a silver
plated connector the solder runs along the inside silver skin too easy and
doesnât make contact to the lightly pre-soldered shield of the coax. After
taking this hurdle itâs already T-minus-30. Luckily N1MM and the Orion are
compatible and we are ready to rock&roll.
During the first night we notice the K9AY is performing according to our
expectations. Also the short 160m vertical works but never outperforms the
K9AY.
40 metres doesnât bring much the first night, only 85 QSOâs. On the other
hand Aurelio does a great run on 80m: 231 QSOâs. In the morning when we have
the usual gap between 40m band closure and 20m band opening we take time to
rest a little on the students comfortable couches or stretcher. After plenty of
fresh coffee (Mocha Limu), sandwiches, fruit and cookies we are ready to strike
the higher bands. 15 meter runs are slow all afternoon. 20m however, is wide
open until late in the evening. Two microwave steam cooked meals give us the
necessary fuel for the second tough night. A short third one will still follow.
Meanwhile itâs Sunday afternoon and Frank ON9CC joins us. He managed to
âescapeâ his family who were dropped at a swimming pool. QSO count at this
point is 1500 and we are very pleased. So far we worked a lot of familiar calls
and were able to work everything we could hear. The full RX setup is performing
awesome and the Orion gets many credits. No static, crashes, annoying
neighbours, bandfights etc. For the first time ever we manage to hold positions
in the lower parts of the band among the big guns; no problem what so ever.
Cluster spots are helpful at times, many thanks for that ! Making the QSO is
seldom hard work; the DSP filtering in the Orion is extremely good in enhancing
the S/N getting rid of any garbage and no ringing at 100Hz. Operators are
stunned about its rx performance. Our new headphones also help a lot in pulling
out the weak signals. Recently we ordered two professional versions at David
Clark .com in the USA Just as expensive as a Heil. But these types are
officially meant to be used in helicopters and therefore have extreme good
passive attenuation (read the great article about passive noise reduction in
the last National Contest Journal). You donât hear any usual noise in the
shack (fans, people talking, etc..) Itâs better for the ears, but less for
your vocal cords and the guestsâ we seemed âbarkingâ (not even shouting)
to each otherâ
Aurelio brought his new PC tower that has a build in DVB-T receiver. Through an
active UHF TV antenna we can watch the 3 national and one local TV station, in
digital quality!
The contest again is BIG FUN, like every year, all goes Q5.
Thanks to the Morse workgroup for the excellent facilities. The next monday the
opâs have a day off I order to get some rest. Yes, we too get older.
Thanks also to Claudia and Steef for helping out during the preparations.
73 Aurelio-PC5A , Rens-PA3FGA, Mark-PA5MW from
P I 4 T U E
Ps. CU ALL in two weeks in the SSB part.
______________________________________________
3830 mailing list
3830@contesting.com
http://lists.contesting.com/mailman/listinfo/3830
|