I hereby cast my vote as 'YES' for Sunday Sprints. Or at least give
it a try. KJ4VH had a good idea - one set on Saturday night, one
set on Sunday night - at least to try the concept.
Maybe we could run the sprints right after CQ WW and ARRL DX
when everyone's adrenelin is still pumping!! (For you ultra-serious
types... just kidding!!! >>> :-) <<< )
This could very well turn into a time zone issue. The "problem" I
have with the current set-up is that with the sprint running from
7 - 11 PM CDT it means that Saturday night is essentially shot.
(In my particular situation I also have to throw in a minimum of
one hour drive time) A lot of people like to socialize (read
PARTY!) on Saturday night. I also like to socialize on Saturday
night. With 8 -10 other Saturday nights already used up by "real"
contests, I find it hard to justify killing four more for a four hour
contest. Now if I lived in California (or Pacific time zone) I could
still sprint AND have most of Saturday night to socialize.
I seriously doubt that staying up til midnight on Sunday night is
going to be a major problem for such driven types as can be
expected to operate a sprint.
The only problem that I forsee is that I will miss Al Bundy (and
Kelly!!)... but then that's what my VCR is for.
This idea deserves serious consideration before being dismissed.
Mike N0BSH
n0bsh@aol.com
>From Lee Hiers <0006701840@mcimail.com> Fri Sep 23 06:10:00 1994
From: Lee Hiers <0006701840@mcimail.com> (Lee Hiers)
Subject: SUMMARY - 2 radio keying
Message-ID: <14940923051041/0006701840PK3EM@MCIMAIL.COM>
Thanks to the following folks for providing input on my question concering
using the same source to key both a positive- and negative-keyed xmitter:
K2WK
KJ4VH
WB5VZL
KM9P
N6TR
KO0U/4
KU4J
KY1H
N4ZR
K8MR
I hope there weren't others I missed....sometimes I wonder if I get all my
mail....
Anyway, the summary, along with my thoughts:
1) Reed Relay - they seem to be plenty fast for my application. I
would want to build one interface for the computer and one for the
keyer and parallel the two. Or, if not in the building mood, W1WEF
reportedly sells a computer interface using a reed relay. Also, N3JT
uses reed relays in his computer interface, but I'm not sure if he
sells them.
2) Use TR logging program - it provides for two radios already, one
just has to build the appropriate interfaces for the type keying
needed. I want to try this program anyway, but I'd still like
to be able to use my CMOS-Super-II keyer...(I know TR has built-in
keyer...).
3) Switch the paddles between separate keyers - Hmmm, hadn't thought
of that. I kinda like the idea except that doesn't solve the computer
keying problem (unless I also use separate computer for each rig,
which I don't think I want to try yet!).
4) Build a solid-state universal interface - it seems that one was
described in a QST Hints and Kinks article sometime in the past few
years. I don't know the issue, but will start digging through my old
QSTs looking for it.
5) Put a positive keying voltage adapter in the old rig so it keys
just like the new ones - Use a 2N4888 or similar. I'll have to
investigate this more. This post referred to the old rig as a
"clunker", which definitely describes my potential 2nd radio!
6) My idea - I've got an old MFJ keyer that has both positive and
negative outputs. Just arrange my switching so that the appropriate
output is chosen depending on the radio in use...easy, but still
doesn't get my computer working on both rigs or let me use my Super-II.
So, what am I gonna do? Nothing if I don't get off my butt and get these
antennas up! When I do, it looks like I've got a bunch of options, if in a
hurry, I'll do #6 or #3 and just let the computer key the main rig. I'd like
to eventually come up with an arrangement that combines #4 and #2.
Thanks to all who responded; the variety of ideas was great!
73 de Lee, AA4GA
aa4ga@mcimail.com
>From Richard Hallman <0006135537@mcimail.com> Fri Sep 23 13:23:00 1994
From: Richard Hallman <0006135537@mcimail.com> (Richard Hallman)
Subject: Sunday Sprints....
Message-ID: <30940923122303/0006135537NA2EM@MCIMAIL.COM>
I vote....SUNDAY.
This would still enable you to go on a trip with the Family for the
weekend and just come back a few hours early for the Sprint. If left
on Saturday.....You could never do this.
Asked my wife abt the Sprint and she looked at me like I was crazy!
"What the Hell is a Sprint??"
See Ya! Rich KI3V/7 With Stack TH7's Working REAL well!!!
...Nevada is back.....
>From sellington" <sellington@mail.ssec.wisc.edu Fri Sep 23 09:20:03 1994
From: sellington" <sellington@mail.ssec.wisc.edu (sellington)
Subject: Sunday Sprints....
I vote for moving them all to Sunday night. I'm often away for the weekend,
but could get back for a Sunday night Sprint.
Scott K9MA
sellington@ssec.wisc.edu
>From McCarty, DK 'Dav" <DKMC@chevron.com Fri Sep 23 14:21:05 1994
From: McCarty, DK 'Dav" <DKMC@chevron.com (McCarty, DK 'Dav)
Subject: Sunday Sprint
Message-ID: <199409231321.AA49634@portal.chevron.com>
From: McCarty, DK 'David'
To: OPEN ADDRESSING SERVI-OPENADDR
Subject: RE: Sunday Sprint
Priority:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------- Jim Larson, KK7A wrote:
>Well, I have to vote NO to the move to Sunday. This is one of the few
>contests I can operate for the full duration and still make it to church on
>Sunday with my family. I realize church isn't a priority to most people
but
>it is for some. There is my two cents worth!
Same goes for me. And if it's on Saturday night, I have a Sunday afternoon
nap with which to recover; on Sunday night it's a lot harder to get to work
in the AM if I've been up contesting.
David K. McCarty, K5GN
dkmc@chevron.com
>From Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com Fri Sep 23 14:20:14 1994
From: Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com (Peter G. Smith)
Subject: Station equipment database
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9409230610.A7450-0100000@netcom>
I am toying with the idea of developing a questionnaire that could be
used to gather information for a database on contest stations. Using a
modern database manager such as Microsoft Access, it should be possible
to crunch the data in a variety of interesting ways -- for example, to
show "what it takes" to lead in various geographic areas, trends in
equipment vs the sunspot cycle, etc.
I'm not saying I'm going to do this thing, but as an aid to
contemplation:
1) Would the data interest you? If so, what manipulations of the data
would be particularly interesting or enlightening?
2) Has anyone made a systematic effort to collect such data in the past,
such that either a database or a model questionnaire exists? No point
in reinventing the wheel.
Replies directly please, and I'll summarize for the reflector.
73, Pete
N4ZR@netcom.com
"Better, faster,cheaper -- choose any two"
>From Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com Fri Sep 23 14:24:41 1994
From: Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com (Peter G. Smith)
Subject: contest reporting
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9409230620.A7450-0100000@netcom>
With all the beefing going on, let me register my impression that the
reporting of both CQWW and ARRL DX has made tremendous strides over the
last couple of years. Regional breakouts, interesting sidebars, lots of
pix. Sure, there were holes in some of the commentary, but that just
gives room for future improvement. Good going, guys.
73, Pete
N4ZR@netcom.com
"Better, faster,cheaper -- choose any two"
>From Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com Fri Sep 23 14:29:33 1994
From: Peter G. Smith" <n4zr@netcom.com (Peter G. Smith)
Subject: New Plaque Proposal
Message-ID: <Pine.3.89.9409230647.A7450-0100000@netcom>
I think it's excellent that both CQWW and ARRL DX have plaques for
under-18 single ops, but shouldn't we also put some more emphasis on
bringing in new competitors of whatever age? Why not have PINS-type
awards, not just for SS, but for all the major contests? And how about a
plaque to recognize the highest score by a first-time entrant? As
automated as the scoring is getting, it doesn't seem that either of these
would be too hard to administer.
Opinions?
73, Pete
N4ZR@netcom.com
"Better, faster,cheaper -- choose any two"
>From DFREY" <HARRIS.DFREY@IC1D.HARRIS.COM Fri Sep 23 14:31:08 1994
From: DFREY" <HARRIS.DFREY@IC1D.HARRIS.COM (DFREY)
Subject: 2 points
Message-ID: <QCY2.DFREY.4549.1994 0923 0831 0831>
>The only place where we can get 2 points per QSO in the CQWW is
>within North America ...else, a QSO within your own continent,
>but with another country, is worth only one point. Otherwise,
>the Europeans would never bother to work us. The north African
>and Middle Eastern stations really clean up on the European QSOs
>at 3 points each.
>Alan, K6XO
...and why an OD5 or a VS6 just loves to run JAs. The iniquity
of this rule is a major sticking point amoung non-NA contesters.
There would be a lot more juicy zone 24 & 26 mults if JAs could
work an HS like we work a V3.
Dick, K4XU
>From Paul D. Walker <pwalker@mbi.moody.edu> Fri Sep 23 15:59:11 1994
From: Paul D. Walker <pwalker@mbi.moody.edu> (Paul D. Walker
<pwalker@mbi.moody.edu>)
Subject: Saturday Sprints
I vote Saturday. Sunday is generally family day for my household and we do
like attending church. Also, I really like to get a good night's sleep
before getting up at 3:30 AM to go to work on Monday.
Beside's folk's, if you work 8-10 majors and throw in 2-4 sprints, thats
10-14 Saturday evening's shot (or weekends if Saturday eve is the crux of
your weekend). In a given year there are generally 52 weekends (52 1/2
this year - Yes, Mike, that's 53 Saturdays!). Factor out your 10-14
contest/sprints and that leaves you with 38-42 weekends to do other things.
That, according to my HP calculator, is a whopping 73-80% availability
rate. Good enough to pass any code or theory test and certainly enough
slack there to enjoy whats left of life after amateur radio.
Determine what's important in life, then plan for it. That's what a
Day-Timer (TM) is for. ;^)
de N9WHG
Those were my thoughts, not those of who I work for or Who I work for. I
just hope they are consistent.
--
Paul D. Walker II e-mail: pwalker@mbi.moody.edu
Database/System Administrator phone: (312)329-4392
Moody Bible Institute fax: (312)329-4496
820 North LaSalle Drive
Chicago, IL 60610
>From Bill Standerfer <bills@hpislwes.lvld.hp.com> Fri Sep 23 16:14:11 1994
From: Bill Standerfer <bills@hpislwes.lvld.hp.com> (Bill Standerfer)
Subject: Radio Cops
Message-ID: <9409231514.AA02296@hpislwes.lvld.hp.com>
barry@w2up.wells.com (Barry Kutner) writes:
>Bill - your attitude is definitely that of someone not affiliated with a
>contest club. Here in FRC land we always (usually) compete to boost the
Thanks to Barry and all the others for explaining the reasoning.
Ya don't know till ya ask...
Bill
Bill Standerfer * Hewlett-Packard Company
CFI-A, IA, ME * VXI Systems Division
bills@lvld.hp.com * Loveland, CO 80539
Baron N222AB - KF0DJ - Pikes Peak 253 * 303-679-2378
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