Hello to all!
The Grid Pirates VHF Group looked adversity in the
face and smiled during this past weekend's ARRL VHF Contest. The
coldest weather of the year here in EM84, South Carolina and
several visits from Murphy didn't stop us from achieving all our
goals.
We went at this one knowing that the low VHF population
in the area would never allow us to achieve high qso totals on
the VHF bands so we decided to maximize our strengths and shoot
for two of the all time January contest grid records,(6 meters
and 432 Mhz). We used all of the methods available to do so
including meteor scatter,minor tropo,EME,and even some rare
January E skip.
We had a major problem before the contest that gave us our
share of ulcers. During testing of a remote preamp, a relay on a
sequencer failed to de-energize which kept the remote preamp and
associated relays energized which proceeded to accept the
damaging end of 1500 watts. Needless to say, the preamp was
smoked. Fortunately we had a spare. Unfortunately it was already
dark and very cold. Fortunately Terry,WD8ISK, didn't give a
damn; he was up the tower in no time and had everything fixed in
short time.
We experienced several major problems during the contest
which kept us off the air for a total of 5 hours during the
event. The worst off time was a 3 hour period 3 hours into the
contest basically ruining chances at some sunset tropo on the
first evening. No matter how many times you test and pretest
equipment you just never know when a failure will happen.
On the first day a dual transformer power supply, used for the
432 amp, exploded; filling the 222/432 shack with the putrid
stench of transformer gunk. Thank goodness our chief technician
Terry,WD8ISK, can fix anything just about with his eyes closed.
We had to swap out a 1200 watt 6m amp for a 600 watt amp so the
1200 watt amp's power supply could be cannibalized to repair the
432 amp power supply. A few minutes after the repaired amp was
back on line the 222 station's computer started to reset itself
continuously. Fortunately we had a spare computer. More down
time. The rest of the night went smoothly but Murphy was only
resting his ugly head.
The next morning a filter capacitor failure in the
replacement power supply caused even more down time. Again
WD8ISK performed surgery; this time cannibalizing the original
blown power supply for the filter caps. During this outage the
rotor indicator box for the 222 antenna stopped working thanks
to a failed meter movement. Another swap was made and we were
back in business. I took the downtime opportunity to open up the
6m driver brick. Terry,the 6m op, had been complaining about
signals dropping out after unkeying the amps. It turned out to
be the T/R relay on the TE Systems brick ( a new one at that!).
A little bend here and there got the thing working properly.
At this point in the contest I was quite
certain that someone up there didn't like us and was using us as
a test of will and determination. Add to the failures a bad case
of the flu for W4XP and myself and you can see that we are
extremely lucky we survived till the end of the event. All in
all, we still had a hell of a good time! WD8ISK's wife's chicken
BBQ and my XYL's Lasagna helped sweeten up things quite a bit!
Here are the results of the N4UK Limited Multiop operation.
Callsign-N4UK
Club-Grid Pirates VHF Group
Category-Limited Multi
ARRL Division- Roanoke
Section- South Carolina (A hoot and a holler from Greenville)
Band- Qsos Grids
50 183 82*
144 189 58
222 50 30
432 89 54*
-----------------------------
848 512 224 = Score of 146,048
Two January VHFSS all-time grid records were shattered!(*)
Equipment-
6m- Icom IC-740 with DEM transverter/600w/6el at 40 feet
2m- Icom IC-740 with DEM transverter/900w/ 13x2 at 35 feet
222-Yaesu FT736r/900w/23 el at 50 feet
432-Yaesu FT990 with DEM transverter/ 19x4 at 60 feet/1kw
Elevation- 747 ft asl em84xp
Best DX per Band-
6m-Many extreme Northern VE stations.
2m-3 FN31 stations!
222- an FN31 station on some sort of yet undetermined mode of
propagation. He faded up and faded right out again. Possibly a
meteor burn. Our first ever 222MHZ random meteor scatter
contact!
432- 3 JA stations! To the moon Alice!
Random Comments- Loudest 6m guy- Without a doubt, K5CM!
Fastest tailgater- WZ1V who tailgated right behind WA2TEO on a
2m Ms burn so fast that even I was caught off guard!
Loudest signals on all bands- Power line noise from all
directions due to the extremely low humidity and cold temps.
Funniest question- " How do you finance all of this?" asked by
the Laurens County Sheriff's deputy during his visit.
Some of the smart ass responses I wanted to say- "The Columbian
Cartel I work for foots the bill" and "It's none of your *&@&*
business".
What I actually did say- "Oh, I've been collecting this stuff
for the last 20 years.
Biggest surprise- working an old retired friend from Maryland
W3EKT/r from EL98 and EL99 as he enjoyed the winter warmth of
Florida.
Biggest disappointment- Missing many easy grids on all bands.
Where was em85,fm17,fm14,etc.??? Lack of activity
from all around. The 5 hours of primetime downtime probably cost
us a few grids on all bands.
Thanks to the Grid Pirate members who trekked down from Maryland
and Virginia to make this a successful operation.
6m- WD8ISK
2m- N4UK
222/432- W3ZZ and W4XP
A million thanks to all who worked us!
73 Ken N4UK
1.8-1296 MHZ
Cabo Rojo Contest Club-WP4NMS
Grid Pirates VHF Group
Grid Square-EM84xp
>From seay@Alaska.NET (Jan & Del Seay) Wed Jan 22 04:23:39 1997
From: seay@Alaska.NET (Jan & Del Seay) (Jan & Del Seay)
Subject: A Great Call
Message-ID: <32E5964B.65D4@alaska.net>
Here's an interesting call sign issued during the Vanity Call Program.
AL0HA
Of couse that's an Alaskan call. But - issued to the
"Coconut Island DX Association, ALOHA (KH6B)
This guy has guts. He lives in Hilo, Hawaii, and the Anchorage address
that he used for the license doesn't exist!
You'd think the FCC would catch these things.
de KL7HF
>From andriusi@siauliai.omnitel.net (Andrius Ignotas) Wed Jan 22 13:30:04 1997
From: andriusi@siauliai.omnitel.net (Andrius Ignotas) (Andrius Ignotas)
Subject: LY2ZZ in 160M CW WW TEST
Message-ID: <199701221330.NAA10180@pikuolis.omnitel.net>
HI EVERYBODY,
This year during WW 160m CW Contest LY2ZZ station will be operate by LY2BTA
in SINGLE OPERATOR category.I'll be looking especially for USA WEST COAST
and rear countries!
73! cu in test ANDY LY2BTA.
>From dsarkozi@infocom.net (David Sarkozi) Wed Jan 22 12:53:24 1997
From: dsarkozi@infocom.net (David Sarkozi) (David Sarkozi)
Subject: A Great Call
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19970122064936.37ef016c@infocom.net>
At 08:23 PM 1/21/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Of couse that's an Alaskan call. But - issued to the
>"Coconut Island DX Association, ALOHA (KH6B)
>
>This guy has guts. He lives in Hilo, Hawaii, and the Anchorage address
>that he used for the license doesn't exist!
I'll bet thats at least a felony. In Texas it would be (Falsification of a
government document) I imagine the law in Hawaii is much the same. I
wouldn't be surprised if there was a federal law to cover it to.
---------------------------------
David Sarkozi, WB5N
Houston, TX
dsarkozi@infocom.net
see my Web Page "Birds of the Upper Texas Coast"
http://www.infocom.net/~dsarkozi/
(713) 520-5906
>From i4ufh@contest.dsnet.it (I4UFH Fabio) Wed Jan 22 13:36:42 1997
From: i4ufh@contest.dsnet.it (I4UFH Fabio) (I4UFH Fabio)
Subject: CQ 160 CW "FUNGO" Activity
Message-ID: <9701221338.AA14377@maggiore.dsnet.it>
Hi Guys,
During the next weekend we will be active from the IR4T Contest Place
called "Fungo", with the I4JMY callsign into the CQ160 CW , in a MS
effort.
New beverages receive antenna was installed in the direction not covered
from the TWO element Yagi at 200 feet above ground level.
Look for good USA 0 / 7 opening, and northern european station , we
had always a bad Northern EU reception, we hope to have reduced this
gap.
We will have a preferred frequency around 1822 / 1823 look for us !!
We will want to test our 3 weeks of hard work to install the antennas !!!!
Operators will be I4JMY, I2VXJ, I4UFH, I4YSS, IK4IEE, IK2QEI .
73 de I4UFH one of IR4T , IG9R, KF6FBE.
i4ufh@contest.dsnet.it
>From sercom@bo.nettuno.it (Andy IK4WMG) Wed Jan 22 14:07:42 1997
From: sercom@bo.nettuno.it (Andy IK4WMG) (Andy IK4WMG)
Subject: JA low band contest
Message-ID: <v02130502af092e9a2b33@[193.207.76.89]>
PSE Oms
Where I can found JA LOW Band contest rules!?
I worked about 40 JA station on 80 mts last weekend but dunno how to
compute my score nor where to send it.
IK4WMG Andy
Devoted to CW
IK4WMG - Andy
ShortWave/\LongLife
>From jreid@aloha.net (Jim Reid) Wed Jan 22 16:38:33 1997
From: jreid@aloha.net (Jim Reid) (Jim Reid)
Subject: A Great Call
Message-ID: <1.5.4.32.19970122163833.0068b5ac@aloha.net>
At 08:23 PM 1/21/97 -0800, you wrote:
>Here's an interesting call sign issued during the Vanity Call Program.
>
> AL0HA
>
>Of couse that's an Alaskan call. But - issued to the
>"Coconut Island DX Association, ALOHA (KH6B)
>
>This guy has guts. He lives in Hilo, Hawaii, and the Anchorage address
>that he used for the license doesn't exist!
But the address does exist. It is a condominium owned by
KH6AFS who is a founding member of the Coconut Island
club. The island is in Hilo Bay. KH6B, Dean is ARRL Section
Mngr. for Hawaii. Sam, KH6AFS goes to his condo
regularly for holiday away from Hilo, just as you
Alaskans come down here to Hawaii for holiday at
times. It's a change from the regular.
73, Jim, KH7M
On the Garden Island of Kauai
>From seay@Alaska.NET (Del Seay) Wed Jan 22 16:01:28 1997
From: seay@Alaska.NET (Del Seay) (Del Seay)
Subject: A Great Call
References: <1.5.4.32.19970122163833.0068b5ac@aloha.net>
Message-ID: <32E639D8.58E9@alaska.net>
Jim Reid wrote:
> >This guy has guts. He lives in Hilo, Hawaii, and the Anchorage address
> >that he used for the license doesn't exist!
>
> But the address does exist. It is a condominium owned by
> KH6AFS who is a founding member of the Coconut Island
> club. The island is in Hilo Bay. KH6B, Dean is ARRL Section
> Mngr. for Hawaii. Sam, KH6AFS goes to his condo
> regularly for holiday away from Hilo, just as you
> Alaskans come down here to Hawaii for holiday at
> times. It's a change from the regular.
>
> 73, Jim, KH7M
> On the Garden Island of Kauai
No, Jim - that is not correct. In the Municipality of Anchorage,
there is NO ROSS STREET.
There is a Ross Court, but the address is for a local lady.
Regardless of how it was done, the entire intent of the Vanity
Call procedure was pre-empted in this case. No way can it be
argued that this call, assigned to a local Hawaiian club is
within that intent. de KL7HF
>From force12e@lightlink.com (Natan Huffman) Wed Jan 22 17:22:44 1997
From: force12e@lightlink.com (Natan Huffman) (Natan Huffman)
Subject: Model RR & Contesting
Message-ID: <199701221723.MAA01137@light.lightlink.com>
Was wondering if any contesters are also model railroaders. If so, please
let me know.
Thanks,
Natan
W6XR/2
>From n4bp@shadow.net (Bob Patten) Wed Jan 22 19:45:51 1997
From: n4bp@shadow.net (Bob Patten) (Bob Patten)
Subject: FSFD (50 States) Update for Jan 22 (fwd)
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.970122144532.7679A-100000@hyper>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Hydzik <congress@magpage.com>
To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion <qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU>
Subject: FSFD (50 States) Update for Jan 22
Hello ALL, (QRP activity info at http://www.dancris.com/~ki7mn)
The 50 States In 50 Days (FSFD) activity started Jan 01 and runs through
Feb. 20. Below is a the schedule of States for the next few days. We will
attempt to provide digested schedules of states/times/bands/freqs. to help
reduce message traffic to the reflector. Typically, only 1 message per day.
ALL TIMES UTC
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 22 Wed. MICHIGAN WA8LCZ, Byron 2000-2200 UTC 14.060-062
2200-0000 7.041-043
NOTE: Byron will also do MI on 0000-0500 THUR-UTC 3.697-700
Jan. 25 on 18.085 15-2000z
W8KC, Paul 0200-0230 THUR-UTC 7.035-040
0230-0315 THUR-UTC 3.710-715
0315-0400 THUR-UTC 1.810-815
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 23 Thursday MINNESOTA K0EVZ, Doc 2300-0130 UTC 7.040
0130-0300 FRI-UTC 7.112
0300-0500 FRI-UTC 7.040
N0UR, Jim 2000- UTC 14.060
Let's keep Jim Busy. 2100- UTC 10.116
He'll stay on as long 2200- UTC 7.040
as the calls keep coming. 0100- FRI-UTC 3.580
Jim will check 21.060 @ 15 minutes past the hour starting 2000 UTC
------------
WVa WEST VIRGINIA K5IID/8 0100-0330 FRI-UTC 7.055
Tom 0345-0500 FRI-UTC 3.535
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 24 Friday WEST VIRGINIA K5IID/8 1230-1300 UTC 3.565
Tom will be active all day, 1330-1400 7.055
signing K8IID/8/WVA and ck 1500-1530 10.110
Novice segments of active 1530-1630 14.045
band at 15 min past the hr. 1700-1730 21.065
Sugg. 7.112 & 3.708 MHz. 1730-1800 28.065
Tom will also be available on the 160M contest Friday night
MS MISSISSIPPI K5XU, Mike 0100-0330 SAT-UTC 7.042
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 25 Saturday MISSOURI N0IT, Dave 1900-2100 UTC 14.058 or
check 15M first---------> 21.058 if open
2100-2200 UTC 10.115
0000-0200 SUN-UTC 7.038
0300-0400 SUN-UTC 3.562
MICHIGAN #2 WA8LCZ, Byron 1500-2000 UTC 18.085
ALASKA
TBA
ALASKA
TBA
ALASKA
Before Babylon V and StarTrek
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 26 Sunday MONTANA KJ7UN, Laura 1600-1700 UTC 7.045
1700-1800 UTC 10.110
1800-1900 UTC 28.116
If Dead Band then 14.058
1900-2000 UTC 21.121
If Dead Band then 7.045
2000-2100 UTC 14.058
Go Packers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 27 Monday NEBRASKA NEBRASKA WB0QQT, Steve TBA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Most every sign-up came with a note saying they would go longer if busy.
Frequencies are +/- QRM & typ. may reach as far as 3-4 KHz from posted freq.
CALLING CQ: A suggestion. If we call CQ WAS or WAS QRP de K6.... etc,
we give those not on QRP-L an indication of what we're doing. FSFD type
calling might be too cryptic for all but ourselves. However 'FS' is fine
when busy. Exchange RST, State/Province/Country, and Name. Power level is
nice to know.
HAWAII: KB0ROL is in HAWAII until Jan. 25 and will post his time/freq info
to the group when ready. Best guess is Thursday 0200-0400 UTC on 20M or
40M. Awaiting more info from Brad.
If you want to sign-up for an upcoming State, e-mail band/freq/time directly to:
congress@magpage.com
Thanks for all the responses/encouragement and suggestions. Lets have a blast!
Jim K3QIO Wilmington, Delaware
>From k8yse@en.com (John Papay) Wed Jan 22 20:43:05 1997
From: k8yse@en.com (John Papay) (John Papay)
Subject: Macau (XX9) and Aland Is.(OH0)
Message-ID: <2.2.16.19970122204305.64572e62@en.com>
Martti Laine, OH2BH, has announced the following operations:
160M AND THE PEAK SEASON 1997:
Macau, XX9TR
The Finnish Trio of OH2BH,OH2PM,OH2YY will team up at the famous New Century
Hotel site on Taipa Island, Macau. The operation will be for three days,
beginning of Friday, January.24 and will be terminated on Monday, January.27.
The equipment will be Yaesu FT1000MP and a light solid-state amp.
QSL via OH2BH
----------------------------------------
Aland Islans, OH0NYP
Following the CQWW 160M weekend, Jan.31 thru Feb.02, another group of OH1NX,
OH1NYP, OH1TX and OH2BH will activate OH0NYP on 160M. The variety of other
callsigns maybe heard on the higher bands. If you wish to have a specific
schedule, you may communicate your suggestions directly to OH1EB.
The 160M station will transmit 1825KHz, specially focusing the JA and U.S.
openings.
John Papay K8YSE
k8yse@en.com
http://www.en.com/users/k8yse
>From n4bp@shadow.net (Bob Patten) Wed Jan 22 21:26:36 1997
From: n4bp@shadow.net (Bob Patten) (Bob Patten)
Subject: FSFD SECOND Update for Jan 22 add HI/AK (fwd)
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.970122162616.10883A-100000@hyper>
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jim Hydzik <congress@magpage.com>
To: Low Power Amateur Radio Discussion <qrp-l@Lehigh.EDU>
Subject: FSFD SECOND Update for Jan 22 add HI/AK
Hello ALL, (QRP activity info at http://www.dancris.com/~ki7mn)
******NOTE: ALASKA and HAWAII new posting today
The 50 States In 50 Days (FSFD) activity started Jan 01 and runs through
Feb. 20. Below is a the schedule of States for the next few days. We will
attempt to provide digested schedules of states/times/bands/freqs. to help
reduce message traffic to the reflector. Typically, only 1 message per day.
ALL TIMES UTC
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 22 Wed. MICHIGAN WA8LCZ, Byron 2000-2200 UTC 14.060-062
2200-0000 7.041-043
NOTE: Byron will also do MI on 0000-0500 THUR-UTC 3.697-700
Jan. 25 on 18.085 15-2000z
W8KC, Paul 0200-0230 THUR-UTC 7.035-040
0230-0315 THUR-UTC 3.710-715
0315-0400 THUR-UTC 1.810-815
HAWAII HAWAII KB0ROL/KH6, Brad 0200-0400 THUR-UTC 7.112
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 23 Thursday MINNESOTA K0EVZ, Doc 2300-0130 UTC 7.040
0130-0300 FRI-UTC 7.112
0300-0500 FRI-UTC 7.040
N0UR, Jim 2000- UTC 14.060
Let's keep Jim Busy. 2100- UTC 10.116
He'll stay on as long 2200- UTC 7.040
as the calls keep coming. 0100- FRI-UTC 3.580
Jim will check 21.060 @ 15 minutes past the hour starting 2000 UTC
------------
WVa WEST VIRGINIA K5IID/8 0100-0330 FRI-UTC 7.055
Tom 0345-0500 FRI-UTC 3.535
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 24 Friday WEST VIRGINIA K5IID/8 1230-1300 UTC 3.565
Tom will be active all day, 1330-1400 7.055
signing K8IID/8/WVA and ck 1500-1530 10.110
Novice segments of active 1530-1630 14.045
band at 15 min past the hr. 1700-1730 21.065
Sugg. 7.112 & 3.708 MHz. 1730-1800 28.065
Tom will also be available on the 160M contest Friday night
MS MISSISSIPPI K5XU, Mike 0100-0330 SAT-UTC 7.042
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 25 Saturday MISSOURI N0IT, Dave 1900-2100 UTC 14.058 or
check 15M first---------> 21.058 if open
2100-2200 UTC 10.115
0000-0200 SUN-UTC 7.038
0300-0400 SUN-UTC 3.562
MICHIGAN #2 WA8LCZ, Byron 1500-2000 UTC 18.085
ALASKA AL7FS, Jim Will start between 1800-1900 UTC
on 21.064, 14.064, 10.126 (dn to 10.123)
ALASKA He'll be on the highest active band
Check all three frequencies through 2359 UTC
ALASKA
0000-0300 UTC Mostly 7.044 then 3.564
Jim will juggle the bands based upon condx to the States but
will stay as close as possible to the freqs above.
Look for the major band change at 0000 UTC to 40/80M
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 26 Sunday MONTANA KJ7UN, Laura 1600-1700 UTC 7.045
1700-1800 UTC 10.110
1800-1900 UTC 28.116
If Dead Band then 14.058
1900-2000 UTC 21.121
If Dead Band then 7.045
2000-2100 UTC 14.058
Go Packers
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Jan. 27 Monday NEBRASKA NEBRASKA WB0QQT, Steve TBA
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Most every sign-up came with a note saying they would go longer if busy.
Frequencies are +/- QRM & typ. may reach as far as 3-4 KHz from posted freq.
CALLING CQ: A suggestion. If we call CQ WAS or WAS QRP de K6.... etc,
we give those not on QRP-L an indication of what we're doing. FSFD type
calling might be too cryptic for all but ourselves. However 'FS' is fine
when busy. Exchange RST, State/Province/Country, and Name. Power level is
nice to know.
If you want to sign-up for an upcoming State, e-mail band/freq/time directly to:
congress@magpage.com
Thanks for all the responses/encouragement and suggestions. Lets have a blast!
Jim K3QIO Wilmington, Delaware
>From jcarter@mailhost2.csusm.edu (Jerry A. Carter) Wed Jan 22 22:26:54 1997
From: jcarter@mailhost2.csusm.edu (Jerry A. Carter) (Jerry A. Carter)
Subject: CQP Results - Just Curious
Message-ID: <3.0.32.19970122222530.0068634c@mailhost2.csusm.edu>
We had the good fortune of hosting the All California Six Foxy Ladies
(AC6FL) team at our station during the 1996 California QSO Party.
Within a few days of the contest, the logs were sent in along with a Tee
shirt order, request for results reply, and a check for the Tee shirts and
results.
To date, we have seen neither the results, Tee shirts, nor the a bank
statement indicating that the check has been cashed.
Can someone provide an answer via email - We don't have a number to call.
Thanks,
Harry A. Hodges, WA6YOO
Jerry A. Carter, N6TCB
Hosts for the AC6FL Team
>From andriusi@siauliai.omnitel.net (Andrius Ignotas) Thu Jan 23 01:46:50 1997
From: andriusi@siauliai.omnitel.net (Andrius Ignotas) (Andrius Ignotas)
Subject: LY5A-qsl info
Message-ID: <199701230146.BAA06930@pikuolis.omnitel.net>
in 1996 LY5A was :
CQ WW WPX CW operate by YL3CW (single band-20 meters) -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW 160m CW operate by LY2IJ -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW WPX SSB (multi-multi) -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW 160m SSB operate by LY3MM -via LY2ZZ
WAE DX C CW (multi-single) -via LY2ZZ
WAE DX C SSB operate by LY2BTA(single op.-all bands) -via LY2ZZ
ALL ASIAN SSB operate by LY2BTA(single band-20 meters) -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW DX SSB operate by LY2BTA(single op.-all bands assisted) -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW DX CW (multi-multi) -via LY2ZZ
CQ WW DX RTTY operate by LY3MM (single band-20 meters) -via LY2ZZ
ALSO LY0HQ during IARU HF CHAMPIONSHIP (multi-multi) -via LY2ZZ
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT:andriusi@siauliai.omnitel.net
73! ANDY LY2BTA
|