Dave asked that this note to N3ADL be copied to the contest reflector. - Tom
---------------------------------------------------------------------
From: Dave Sumner, K1ZZ dsumner@arrl.org
To: N3ADL
Subject: W1AW
Dear Doug:
Your July 16 posting to the cq-contest reflector has recently been called to
my attention. I do not follow the discussions on the reflector unless
someone forwards something to me, so I do not know what other comments you
may have received in response to your posting. Permit me to share my
perspective as the trustee of W1AW, and to offer my somewhat belated thanks
to the contributions you have made to several W1AW operations.
The IARU HF World Championship was inaugurated in 1986, replacing the IARU
Radiosport Championship. In the first running of the new event W1AW was
quite active from the regular station location, placing fourth among HQ
stations with a crew made up mostly of ARRL HQ staff members. The object was
to make the unique "ARRL" multiplier available to participants, not
necessarily to compete.
In 1987 a somewhat less ambitious effort, again mostly by ARRL HQ staff
members, placed 8th. A similar effort in 1988 netted another 8th place
finish. While these scores were not particularly impressive, each year W1AW
was generally available as a multiplier to serious competitors and thousands
of QSOs were made.
In 1989, W1AW was in the throes of renovation. A modest single-operator
effort by staffer KJ4KB provided 760 QSOs and placed 9th.
The "new" W1AW was first available for HF World Championship operation in
1990. This was the first of the "guest operator" efforts that you referred
to in your posting. The team made a good effort, returning W1AW to the 4th
position that it had attained the first year and more importantly, giving
out 5,169 QSOs. The 1991 effort, the first in which I find you listed as an
operator, was similar (4th place, about half as many QSOs owing to poor
conditions). In 1992 was another respectable effort that placed 5th because
of the appearance of ZA1A.
Things sagged a bit in 1993, and W1AW dropped to 10th place. I remember that
year quite well, and being surprised that I had beaten the W1AW score as a
CW-only single-op (albeit from England). The 1994 effort from W1AW was well
below par: 11th place and just 1,734 QSOs. I remember Rich Gelber being most
apologetic when I ran into him at the New England Division Convention that
fall; at the time I didn't know what he was apologizing for, as I had not
seen the scores. Not to detract from the efforts of the operators, who were
severely short-handed, I think everyone can agree that 1994 (and for
understandable reasons, 1989) fell short of what we should be providing as
opportunities to work the unique "ARRL" multiplier.
That was all I knew about IARU HF World Championship operations from W1AW
when the subject came up in May, in a conversation with ARRL Vice President
Tom Frenaye, K1KI. I had no knowledge of any plans for 1995 and judging by
the lackluster results in 1994, had no reason to believe there were any.
Indeed, it was not until June 12 that Bob Reed asked Chuck Hutchinson, K8CH,
for permission to organize an operation for this year. By that time, I had
already informed Chuck about two weeks earlier that Tom was in charge of
this year's operation from his station. Bob didn't wait for a go-ahead from
Chuck and instead began planning with Jeff Bauer, WA1MBK. I don't question
Bob's good faith; Jeff was not aware that other plans had been made (because
they didn't involve the regular W1AW facilities). However, it was quite a
shock to find out, on June 19, that Bob was recruiting operators via e-mail
postings dated June 16. I regret that your own plans were disrupted; not
only was this unintentional, I didn't even know about it until after the
contest.
Incidentally, of the 9 operators at Tom's station just 4 of us are presently
on the ARRL HQ staff. Tom himself is, of course, the third-ranking volunteer
nationally in the ARRL organization. The team was essentially Tom's regular
multi-multi crew with a couple of hangers-on (such as myself -- previously I
had only operated from Tom's once). The operations in the early years of the
contest were much more heavily staff oriented than this year's.
There are three other points on which I should comment.
1. Use of the W1AW call sign off-site. It's true that as trustee, I am
reluctant to authorize such operations. The only times they have been
authorized in the recent past have been for Field Day, the ARRL National
Convention, and the 1989 IARU Region 2 Conference in Orlando. Tom persuaded
me that this year, when members have had to rally in opposition to W5YI's
petition that would terminate W1AW HF bulletin and code practice service, we
should have a high-profile presence. The enormous good will that we
encountered on the air from rank-and-file amateurs bears out his judgment in
this regard.
2. Multiple-site HQ operations. They are not as widespread as you suggest.
For example, it is my understanding that until this year the German
operation, most recently as DA0HQ, has been conducted from a single location
(actually two locations very close to one another, i.e., within the normal
circle for a multi-op). The Hungarians are reputed to have been the first to
use multiple sites, and some others have followed in their footsteps
(although not necessarily with big antennas -- I'm told the 40-meter CW
antenna at S50HQ this year was a ground plane, and the operation, albeit
from multiple sites, was more like Field Day than a serious DX contest). Tom
and I discussed the possibility of doing this, but I was reluctant to depart
from what I still regarded as the proper spirit of a single-site operation.
It was not until two weeks before the contest, while I was attending the
DARC convention in Friedrichshafen, that I heard the Germans were planning a
multiple-site operation this year. Had I known that earlier, I might have
felt differently about our own plans.
3. What do we do next year? This is a good question, and one I am not yet
ready to answer. As W1AW trustee I feel pulled in several different
directions. Should we try to compete seriously, or just to provide as many
multipliers as possible to the competitors? How aggressive should operators
signing W1AW be? The multiplier system used in the IARU contest makes it
extremely difficult for a North American HQ station to compete with the
Europeans, whether or not one uses multiple sites. The 1995 operators are
understandably enthusiastic about their performance despite the limitations
of the single site (albeit a better contest site than the regular W1AW
facility). I cannot speak for Tom, who invested an enormous amount of energy
in setting up 8 operating positions and reconfiguring his station for the
unusual requirements of the contest that he might rather have spent
improving his station in other ways, but if he is willing to host all or
part of a similar operation next year it will be hard to say no based on
this year's success and on the hundreds of hours he devotes to the ARRL each
year in his volunteer capacity. One thing I will not do is to sanction an
operation that spreads "W1AW" over, as you suggest, a 500-mile diameter; if
one of our motivations is to compete with the Europeans, it seems to me to
be completely contrary to the spirit of such a competition to take advantage
of the fact that our country is geographically larger than theirs, and
subject to dramatically different propagation in different places.
While I do not expect this to blunt your disappointment, I hope it will make
you feel a little better about what happened.
73,
David Sumner, K1ZZ
[end forwarded message]
------------------------------------------------------
E-mail: frenaye@pcnet.com
Tom Frenaye, K1KI, P O Box 386, West Suffield CT 06093
Phone: 203-668-5444
>From George Cook <george@epix.net> Fri Aug 4 04:32:26 1995
From: George Cook <george@epix.net> (George Cook)
Subject: Call phonetics
Message-ID: <Pine.SUN.3.91.950803233054.11363B-100000@grape.epix.net>
On Wed, 2 Aug 1995, Kenneth G. Kopp wrote:
> Guys, ya gotta admit that for a domestic voice contest,
> Kilo Zero Porta Potty is hard to beat. Ya oughta hear
> the giggling callers!
>
> 73! de Ken Kopp/K0PP
> k0pp@mcimail.com
>
>
Oh I dunno about that!
Best wishes from:
Alpha Alpha Three Jockey Underwear
*************************************************
* George Cook AA3JU Bangor, PA FN21 *
* george@peach.epix.net AA3JU@N3IQD.EPA.USA.NA *
* If you're not FRC remember:............... *
* .......There's no shame in being 2nd best! *
*************************************************
>From Gary Schwartz <garyk9gs@solaria.sol.net> Fri Aug 4 05:07:53 1995
From: Gary Schwartz <garyk9gs@solaria.sol.net> (Gary Schwartz)
Subject: NON GLINT PAINT
Message-ID: <Pine.3.02.9508032349.B27951-a100000@solaria.mil.wi.us>
On Wed, 2 Aug 1995, Ron Stone wrote:
> I need to paint a regular aluminum antenna so that it does not glint
> in the sun.
>
> Suggestions please ?
>
How about having it sandblasted?? It is pretty cheap, at least in the
States, and would last forever. At least until the exposure to the air
would dull it anyway.
73,
Gary K9GS
________________________________________________________________
| |
| Gary Schwartz K9GS E-Mail: garyk9gs@solaria.sol.net |
| Society of Midwest Contesters Packet:K9GS@WA9KEC.WI.USA.NOAM |
| Greater Milwaukee DX Association Member |
|________________________________________________________________|
>From James White <0006492564@mcimail.com> Fri Aug 4 05:06:00 1995
From: James White <0006492564@mcimail.com> (James White)
Subject: Wedding invite!
Message-ID: <62950804040626/0006492564PK1EM@MCIMAIL.COM>
bum bum bum dee dum dum dum dee dum
bum bum bum dee dum dum dum dee dum
and another one gone
and another one gone
another one bites the dust.....
Seriously-good luck! Peace and happiness (mebbe some multipliers, too)
...sorry can't make it - unfortunately, there's a contest this weekend.
**********************************************
Jim zx
^
|
|-----an important phrase for you to practice
>From Silvergran Jonathan, SEME" <L.J.Silvergran@telub.se Fri Aug 4 08:23:00
>1995
From: Silvergran Jonathan, SEME" <L.J.Silvergran@telub.se (Silvergran Jonathan,
SEME)
Subject: TOEC WW GRID CONTEST - The saga continue
Message-ID: <302CBA22@noak>
Dispite the meager interest for the SSB test in June (see a separate posting
to this reflector) we would like to remind the contest community that the CW
portion is coming up in a few weeks. See the enclosed rules for all the
info you need.
I hope we can beat the SSB results... Wouldn't be too hard, but you never
know...
Just a reminder... Only three weeks left...
73
Jon, SM3OJR
Contest manager - Top Of Europe Contesters
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TOEC WW GRID CONTEST
The Top Of Europe Contesters (TOEC) hereby has the pleasure to
invite all amateur radio stations world wide to participate in
the TOEC WW GRID CONTEST 1995. The contest is divided into two
separate events, one for CW and one for SSB. In 1994 the very
first attempt was called "TOEC field contest", but the name was
changed because many stations was confused by the name and thought
it was a field day. The word GRID is also probably more well
known on a world wide basis.
Definition: A "grid" is a 2x1 degree square, and a "field" is a
20x10 degree square as defined by the Maidenhead
system. Your national amateur radio society does
probably have more detailed information on grid
squares.
SSB 2'nd weekend in June, Saturday 1200z - Sunday 1200z
(1995: June 10-11)
CW 4'th weekend in August, Saturday 1200z - Sunday 1200z
(1995: Aug 26-27)
Classes:
1) Single Operator. Packet Cluster is not allowed. Stations using
packet is regarded as multi-operator.
a) All band
b) Single band
c) Low power, only all band. Maximum output power 100 W.
2) Multi Operator. Only all band. All stations must be located
within 500 meters diameter.
a) Single Transmitter. Stations must remain on a band for at least
10 minutes. Faster QSY allowed only for a new multiplier on
another band.
b) Multi Transmitter.
3) Mobile stations. Only single op all band. If more than one field
is activated, all stations may be contacted once per field and
band. The log must clearly show the fields activated.
The winner in each country (or US/VE call area) and class will
receive a certificate, providing that a resonable QSO total has
been acheived.
General
160 - 10 m bands are allowed. (Not 10, 18 and 24 MHz)
Keep the following frequencies free from contest traffic:
CW 3500-3510, 7000-7010, 14000-14010, 21000-21010, 28000-28010
SSB 3600-3650, 3790-3800, 7040-7045, 14100-14125, 21100-21175, 28200-28300
Mobile stations includes both /M and /MM stations.
Exchange
RST + grid identifier according to the Maidenhead system,
i.e. 599 JP73 (two letters + two figures)
Multiplier:
Each field (ie JP, KO, EM etc) worked gives 1 multiplier per band.
Scoring:
Fixed stations
QSO with stations outside your continent gives 3 points.
QSO with own continent (including QSO with same country) gives 1 point.
QSO with mobile stations gives 3 points, regardless of QTH.
Mobile stations
All QSO's gives 3 points.
Each station can be contacted once per band.
Exception: Mobile stations (both /M and /MM) may be contacted again,
providing that the mobile station have changed field since
the previous QSO. These additional QSO's gives no QSO
points, only multiplier credit. Note! Mobile stations may
credit QSO points for additional QSO's.
Final score:
Multiply the total QSO point score with the number of fields worked
on all bands.
Logs:
The log must be checked for dupes, correct scoring and multiplier
credits. Indicate the multipliers only the first time they are worked.
Use separate logs for each band. Include a summary sheet with the
regular contents, and a dupe-sheet for all bands with more than 300 QSO.
The log may be submitted on DOS-formatted disks. Use ASCII, CT or N6TR
style files. Name the file with your call. (i.e. SM3SGP.LOG) Enclose a
signed summary sheet. Send a SASE or SAE+1 IRC if you want confirmation
that the log has been received.
Logs can also be submitted via e-mail (Internet or X.400) Send the file
in the same format as above to one of the following addresses.
Internet: toec@pobox.com (preferred) L.J.Silvergran@telub.se (alt.)
X.400: I=LJ;S=Silvergran;P=telub;A=400Net;C=se
A confirmation message will be sent to confirm that the log has been
received.
Deadline:
The log must be postmarked not later than 30 days after the contest.
Address:
TOEC, Box 2063, S-831 02 OSTERSUND Sweden
>From becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) Fri Aug 4 04:05:54 1995
From: becker@shell.portal.com (Tony and Celia Becker) (Tony and Celia Becker)
Subject: Magazine and Bulletin addresses
Message-ID: <199508040609.XAA02892@nova.unix.portal.com>
Hi All!
Can any one help me with the email, telephone number or mailing addresses of
the following:
1. The DX Bulletin
2. QRZ DX
3. 59(9)
Please respond by direct email.
Thanks!
AE0M, Tony Becker - becker@shell.portal.com - Silicon Valley, U.S.A.
>From Marijan Miletic <s56a@ljutcp.hamradio.si> Fri Aug 4 08:16:14 1995
From: Marijan Miletic <s56a@ljutcp.hamradio.si> (Marijan Miletic)
Subject: W1AW followup
Message-ID: <68380@ljutcp.hamradio.si>
Hi contesters,
K1ZZ kindly mentioned my humble effort to contribute to our society head-
quarter's station S50HQ in IARU contest with 10m high ground plane on
40m CW. May I add that driving to S53M site I was hit by BIG OE truck
who overlooked RED traffic light. It stoped on my trunk full of radios
and PC's but thanks to rigid USA Chrysler technology everything survived
(only SB-220 front was twisted by MLA-2500 sitting above it).
I admire W1AW participation in almost all IARU contest events and it
always makes a nice and reliable multiplier.
S50HQ showed up for the first time this year and we realised that we need
two signals per band only a week before contest as K3EST may witness!
We had to spread in about 15 miles circle which does NOT contravene
this contest rules. We know that our HA neighborougs claim even judicial
interpretation for their multi-multi national station in CQ WW contest
which we feel is against the spirit of rules. In our case, the only
distinct antennas were 6+6 el. for 15m and 4 phased GP for 160m on ONE
sight and KLM 4 el. 40m beam and 5 el. 10m beam on second site. All the
other antennas were "made in USA" KT34 and TH6 (SRI 4 GP for 80m on
separate site).
Considering our higher number of hams per head of population then USA,
we may even beat W1AW although they made 10k QSO against our 8k.
I'd prefer to operate from K1KI single site and pass multipliers and
especially good operators easily.
CU WAE & 73 de Mario, S56A, N1YU.
P.S. Pse NO USA QRM in EU HF championship on Saturday! I propossed
popular EU 100W power limit but many kW will polute air worldwide...
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