This contest runs 9 to 11 PM ET the first Monday of each month. It is a
lot of fun. Claimed scores are submitted electronically on a
honor-system basis. Scores are reported two ways: the normal way
without regard to weight of the ham gear used and also factored by the
weight of the ham gear, including tx, tuner, key, keyer, paddle, etc.
It is amazing what people can do with very lightweight ham gear. I
always enter with 5 watts in the "tubby" class, meaning 30 pounds or
over. These contests will be more fun for us if there are more people
to work, particularly in the local area for 80 meters and sometimes 40
meters. I post an announcement each month and I hope more of you will
participate next year. I have kept a running record of my scores for
the last 11 months and you might find them to be interesting as
reflecting the changing band conditions.
Beginning in May, they are all SO2R. Interestingly, my highest score
was in April with 89 QSOs using SO1R. However, I am confident that SO2R
would have increased the score that month also. This is a great way to
practice your SO2R skills without having to worry too much about
filters, etc., since the power output is so low.
Month 80M 40M 20M 15M 10M All
Feb 29 49 8 0 0 86
Mar 19 40 0 0 0 59
Apr 19 37 33 0 0 89
May 14 45 29 0 0 88
Jun 0 24 41 0 0 65
Jul 2 21 31 0 0 54
Aug 4 37 29 0 0 70
Sep 4 41 21 0 0 66
Oct 14 27 0 0 0 41
Nov 24 17 8 0 0 49
Dec 29 26 3 0 0 58
The scores are to be submitted promptly and a summary is sent to each
participant by Wednesday following the Sprint.
Also, remember the QRP fox hunt on 80 meters (3550-3570) tonight from
02Z to 0330Z. There will be two foxes, one below 3560 and one above
3560, each from different areas of the country. Last week, I got on
about 0225Z and worked both foxes within about 3 minutes. They were
K0EVZ (NM) and VA3NR (ON). This was the first week for the 80M fox
hunts, so you haven't missed but one week on this band. 40M fox hunts
are held from 7030 to 7050 on Thursday nights local the same times.
73, John, K4BAI.
Log received!
73 de NA8M
John
----- Original Message ----- From: "John T. Laney III"
<k4bai at worldnet.att.net>
To: <sslogs at arsqrp.com>
Sent: Tuesday, December 06, 2005 11:12 AM
Subject: Spartan Log
> Below are the results from your feedback form. It was submitted by
> John T. Laney III (k4bai at worldnet.att.net) on Tuesday, December 6,
2005 at 11:12:25
>
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>
> realname: John T. Laney III
>
> email: k4bai at worldnet.att.net
>
> realname:
>
> Your_Call: K4BAI-GA
>
> email:
>
> Sprint_Date: December 5, 2005
>
> Station_Weight: 30+
>
> ars_member: No
>
> 80_meters: 29
>
> 40_meters: 26
>
> 20_meters: 3
>
> 15_meters: 0
>
> 10_meters: 0
>
> Soapbox: FT1000MP x 2 (SO2R), 5 watts output, TH6DXX, dipole and zepp
on 40, inverted vee on 80.
>
> Before the start of the contest, 20M CW band had no signals except
W1AW Bulletin station and it was S8/9. So I thought QSOs might be
possible on that band despite no answers to CQs before the start. At
the beginning, I worked K8CV and heard, but did not work, N8JV and K3NG
on 20M No one answered my CQs on that band. Later on, I worked K5NZ
and K5PTC in TX with good signals on 20M. No other signals were heard
on that band, but I think it was because everyone else assumed it was
dead and didn't try. One of the benefits of SO2R is the ability to
check other bands while CQing on the main band.
> I thought 40 might be good and it seemed to be for WA9TZE and
WN1GIV who had great runs going. But almost no one answered my CQs on
40 with either antenna. I was able to get a few QSOs there, but most
all were by hard work with many calls and repeats. K6YK answered my CQ
toward the end giving me the only west coast contact, but I also worked
K0EVZ in NM, N7XM in NV, and WA7LNW in UT on 40. Better than usual turn
out from the western part of the country. Skip seemed long at times, but
the NC stations always seemed to be within range. 80M was good almost
from the first, but there weren't too many stations there at the start.
I worked as far north as NA8M in ME and as far west as W0NTA in CO.
Not really a good result this time despite trying hard. Only other GA
station heard this time was NT4CW on 40M, who didn't seem to hear
stations calling on his own frequency or maybe I just wasn't loud enough
to him. For most of the contest, there was severe SSB QRM just above
3660 for several khz. I don't know what those stations are...I guess
either DX hams or interlopers. Thanks for all the QSOs and hope to see
you all again in January. Seasons' Greetings. 73, John, K4BAI.
>
>
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