NAQP Plaque Sponsors
km9p at aol.com
km9p at aol.com
Thu Feb 3 08:56:25 EST 1994
John (KZ2S) & I are trying to get caught up on the plaques for the NAQP. We
have a couple of sponsors, but need a few more. We will first be catching up
on the plaques for the past 2 years or so. Since John & I won a number of
the contests, and we don't care if we get a plaque or not, it shouldn't be
too bad catching up.
The plaques will cost $23.00 each. This includes postage. Your name will
appear on the plaque as the donor. Their are several plaques for each
contest (CW & SSB).
Single Operator CW
Multi Operator CW
Single Operator SSB
Multi Operator SSB
Single Operator High Combined Score
5 Plaques twice a year. Would even take sponsors for just January or just
August.
Thanks
Bill, KM9P
KM9P at AOL.COM
>From blunt at arrl.org (Billy Lunt KR1R) Thu Feb 3 14:11:40 1994
From: blunt at arrl.org (Billy Lunt KR1R) (Billy Lunt KR1R)
Date: Thu, 03 Feb 94 09:11:40 EST
Subject: Local Recognition
Message-ID: <6327 at bl>
Hello All,
After reading, considering, and mulling over all the comments during
the past two month about local recognition in contest reporting, I
decided to see what we could do here at HQ. I have put together a
sampling of a new score listing and some regional top 5 boxes. The
following data is from the 1992 ARRL 160 Meter Contest.
Let me know what you think about the listings. Your input is welcomed.
73,
Billy Lunt, KR1R
Contest Manger, ARRL
New Score Listing
Line score lists call, score, QSOs, mults, power (A = QRP, B = Low Power
C = High Power, D = Multioperator), Country Prefix or Section Abbreviation.
Europe
G3BDQ 126 9 7 B G
OK2PSZ 18 3 3 B OK
SM3CVM 2 1 1 B SM
CT1AOZ 9,672 124 39 C CT
ON4UN 8,496 118 36 C ON
ON7TK 3,840 64 30 C ON
9A1HCD 2,496 48 26 C 9A
HA6PX 504 18 14 C HA
Midwest Division
K0SRL 16,836 183 46 A IA
W0GWT 5,160 86 30 A MO
NO0Y 90,792 629 72 B KS
W0UY 62,784 436 72 B KS
AJ0I 60,792 447 68 B NE
AA0EN 33,480 270 62 B MO
KE0Y 17,248 176 49 B IA
KM0L 16,128 168 48 B MO
AA0FN 14,260 155 46 B MO
WA0OUI 11,610 135 43 B MO
N0LAQ 11,526 113 51 B NE
W0AWP 8,282 101 41 B KS
N0IZE 5,460 91 30 B KS
WB0QLU 4,526 73 31 B MO
W0YZZ 3,584 64 28 B MO
N0TT 178,268 1075 82 C MO
K0DEQ 65,392 488 67 C MO
N0SM 159,896 1006 79 D IA
NC0P 158,652 1011 78 D IA
K0LIR 83,200 640 65 D MO
KB0SK 18,706 199 47 D IA
New Boxes
Boxes list Call sign, score, and power (A = QRP, B = Low Power,
C = High Power, D = Multioperator)
Northeast Region
(New England, Hudson, Atlantic Divisions,
and Maritime and Quebec Sections)
W3TS 49,518 A
K1HTV 25,908 A
WT3W 16,940 A
WB2UJS 14,348 A
AA2U 14,004 A
WT3Q 82,152 B
K2POF 70,040 B
K2WK 68,160 B
W2TZ 65,520 B
WA2VYA 58,300 B
K1ZM 249,054 C
K5NA 217,658 C
K1KI 204,379 C
K8PO 195,327 C
AA1K 180,600 C
K3LR 273,438 D
K2WI 227,752 D
NX1G 181,152 D
W2GD 146,168 D
K3WW 117,525 D
Southeast Region
(Delta, Roanoke, and Southeastern Divisions)
W4HBK 25,992 A
NO9S 3,120 A
K4IQJ 86,802 B
K0EJ 85,896 B
KN4YB 75,168 B
N5GW 62,913 B
N4YDU 62,272 B
KC4IIS 149,920 C
N5WA 131,040 C
KX4R 127,194 C
KI6MS 126,163 C
KV8S 98,496 C
AB4RU 268,074 D
AC4QT 138,852 D
KO4WE 126,336 D
W8WEJ 95,353 D
W0UCE 77,160 D
Central Region
(Central, Great Lakes Divisions,
and Ontario Section)
W8VK 25,110 A
W8ILC 18,644 A
VE3POS 12,090 A
WV8P 11,600 A
VE3RHJ 11,424 A
K9ALP 120,596 B
N9JF 116,435 B
WA1UJU 114,026 B
AA9AX 107,967 B
WX9U 102,564 B
N4AR 192,879 C
WB9Z 192,329 C
K8CC (AA8AV,op)
189,912 C
KF9D 161,700 C
KE9I 143,938 C
AA8U 172,220 D
KC8MK 170,424 D
AJ9C 157,168 D
W0AIH 151,632 D
W9AZ 149,626 D
Midwest Region
(Dakota, Midwest, Rocky Mountain, West Gulf Divisions,
Manitoba, and Saskatchewan Sections)
K0SRL 16,836 A
WY7U/5 9,202 A
WA0ZPT 8,640 A
W3FAF 7,220 A
WT7D 5,214 A
NO0Y 90,792 B
KS0T 63,558 B
W0UY 62,784 B
KB0ZQ 62,288 B
AJ0I 60,792 B
N0TT 178,268 C
W5XJ 151,040 C
W0HW 108,864 C
W2CRS 98,420 C
K0GU 93,758 C
AA5BL 254,204 D
N0SM 159,896 D
NC0P 158,652 D
WM4Z 158,389 D
KC5DX 146,495 D
West Coast Region
(Northwestern, Pacific, Southwestern Divisions,
Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories,
and Yukon Sections)
N6OJ 3,174 A
N7IR 2,898 A
W6JEO 1,900 A
N6WMF 1,632 A
N6BK 71,592 B
N6CDA 44,019 B
N6NF 23,744 B
AC7A 22,064 B
W7YAQ 21,600 B
N6SS 149,040 C
N6DX (WA6CDR,op)
143,175 C
W6GO 90,576 C
N6ND 88,920 C
W1FEA 87,075 C
N6RZ 79,278 D
WA6RKE 66,240 D
WA7UQV 65,620 D
VE6JY 44,608 D
VE6AO 8,280 D
>From ken.silverman at atlas.ccmail.PacTel.COM (ken silverman) Thu Feb 3 15:19:53 1994
From: ken.silverman at atlas.ccmail.PacTel.COM (ken silverman) (ken silverman)
Date: Thu, 03 Feb 94 07:19:53 PST
Subject: Summary: Contest/Expedition Radios
Message-ID: <9401037602.AA760288793 at atlas.ccmail.pactel.com>
Here's the comments collected over the past 2 days. The response had been
great! If there was some extra info in the messages that I thought would
interest you, I included it. There are a lot of good tips in these messages
for the IC735, IC751A, FT990, TS830, so it's probably worth reading the replies
if you own these radios.
To my suprise, the IC735 came in very strong. I wasn't even considering this
radio when I posed the question. A quick look at the Ham Radio Yellow Trader
Sheets, shows used prices for the IC735 at $500 for the basic radio, to $700
with PS and acc. This is a very inexpensive way to go.
On the other hand, the FT990 and TS850 has some strong support, and is in the
direction I was thinking of. I'll be down at the Miami Hamboree this weekend,
so it may be time to wheel and deal. Thanks for all of the comments!
Best Regards, Ken WM2C
==========
Hi Ken
Glad to see you have a more reasonable e-mail address these days.
I was curious to read that your old FT-757 had IRC filters. I also have an
FT-757GX/II which I used while in Japan. Never heard that there were 3rd
party filters for it. What are the filters like and how much did they cost?
I'll just be using the 757 as a back-up to my FT-1000D in the future, but
thought I'd ask anyway. Since I'm still in an apartment up here in
Portland, still can't get on HF.
It was also good to see you at the NCCC meeting a week or so ago and to
hear about your CQ WW operation. BTW - are you planning on going to
Visalia? I'm hoping to make another trip to CA around that time.
Cheers de Sandy WA6BXH/7J1ABV e-mail: slay at netcom.com
==========
Hi Sandy,
>>I also have an FT-757GX/II which I used while in Japan. Never heard that
there were 3rd party filters for it. What are the filters like and how much
did they cost?
Look in the back of QST/CQ for the company IRC, or International Radio Co.
They bought out the old Fox-Tango business, and now carry a wide range of
filters, and other radio stuff. The filters magically transformed my FT757
(non GX model). I got the whole set of filters... 2 SSB and 1 CW. It is
important to get all filters if you like CW. The receiver chain on CW uses the
SSB filters first, then the CW filter. I got 1.8 khz SSB filters, and 500hz CW
filters. Receiver comes to life with these things. On SSB, you tune 2 Kc off
the center of a +20 dB signal, and he is gone. If I recall, 2 of the filters
were exact replacements, and one filters I had to "make room" for. The only
place to put it was in the cavity that was used by the speaker. Thus I do
without the internal speaker. If you have the matching PS, it doesn't matter
anyway. The 3 filters ran about $250 for the whole set.
If you plan on keeping the radio, it is a very worthwhile expense. I was going
to throw the radio away when I first put the filters in, but I didn't have the
money to buy a new radio as I do now. At the time, it was the best $250 I ever
spent on radio. It's not worth it for me to spend another $200 or so on the
radio to send it back to Yeasu to get it fixed.
>>BTW - are you planning on going to
Visalia?
Sure am, have room at the Raddison.
Cu there !
Ken WM2C
==========
Ken,
The answer to your prayers is the IC-735. It meets all of your criteria
except for internal supply. I have loved this little, rugged, champ
of a radio for 4 years. It has outstanding features per $, has been
out long enough to work the bugs out, and is very portable. It has
(optional) built in keyer, as well as built in SWR, VOX, compression.
Also true PBT. Only rough edges are in filter leakage, which can
be improved with IRC filters. K1XM and KQ1F have put a buzillion miles
one one.
-Tony, K1KP
==========
Ken:
the 735 is a fantastic machine. I don't know if you can improve on it.
Ask Carl, AA6LB when he gets back from KH8.
Eric, NV6O
==========
I think the big question is does it have to run off of 110/220 directly?
If the answer is yes, you might look at the FT-990, although I don't like
the skirts on CW unless you use the audio filter.
If it can run off of 12 volts, the TS-850S is an excellent radio. There is
a mod or two that will help (coming in the NCJ), and the external RIT
control using the two shift keys with my software is WONDERFUL. You can
even put a special character in your QSL and CQ CW messages to clear the
RIT automatically. It is smaller than the 990 as well, has the built in
keyer (although with my program, the keyer is in your computer/laptop's
parallel port). It exhibited less problems with strong signals than my
Sherwoodized R4-C did during the SS CW at W7RM.
The three negative things about the rig:
1. No way to clear RIT from front panel (fixed with software).
2. No way to control CW sidetone volume from front panel (NCJ mod).
3. No separate RX antenna input (a soon to be added mod).
I would suggest the two 500 hertz CW filters. There is no need for the
270 hertz filter.
Tree N6TR
==========
Ken,
I don't have first-hand experience but I've heard a lot of good
things about the Yaesu FT-890. It's made basically for just your
requirements. Mail orders for about $1200.
Len KB2R
==========
As far as I know, the IC-751 is about the smallest rig with an internal
power supply. As you eliminated it you are into external supplies.
I used to carry a TS-930S, but a couple years ago I got an IC-735. I
modified it a bit, removing the filters and adding International Radio
filters in both IFs. This meant adding switching circuitry to the 455
KHz IF and reworking the passband tuning a bit.
The IC-735 internal keyer is known to be difficult to use. The useful
part of the slide pot's travel is very small. I build a small external
memory keyer. The memories don't get much use any more since I use CT
on a notebook computer.
The power supply I use is the Icom PS-35, which is the internal supply
for an IC-751. It weighs about 5 pounds and is physically small. I
put a set of MOVs in an external box which I plug the supply into.
My accessories - keyer, CT interface, and RTTY TU get power from the
accessory sockets on the rig.
I don't know what you use for an amplifier. I used to travel with an
SB-200 but it broke somehow on every trip. I modified a 30L-1 to have
160 meters and used that a couple times. Last year I found a broken
Tokyo High Power HL1K-A at a hamfest, and I will probably use that next
time I need to travel with an amp.
As far as I can tell, the biggest problem with the small rigs is getting
a suitable supply. The Icom unit I used has held up well. I think that
Yaesu has a small supply too. Most fixed station supplies much more than
the rigs!
Paul, K1XM
==========
ts450 or ts690 (has 6m)
or a bit bigger - ts850.
--
George Fremin III
Austin, Texas C.K.U.
WB5VZL
512/416-0140
geoiii at bga.com
==========
I have been using a TS430S for years now, it does haver a seperate power
supply and not all the bells and whistles, it is like the battery bunny
though...it keeps going and going and going. When I get a new radio I will
keep the 430 because even a technical dweeb appliance operator like me
can't kill it.
73, Jim K1ZX
==========
Ken, I can't help you but I was getting ready to post something similar. I am
interested in getting rid of my back-up rig (TS-830) and getting a good 12VDC
rig that has good bells and whistles but not willing to pay a fortune. I have
kind of narrowed it down to a TS-850 or IC-737. 737 sounds almost too good to
be true based on QST writeup. I would appreciate any info on responses you get
Thanks es 73,
Mark, K0EJ
==========
Hi Ken,
I used to use an IC735 in the applications you describe.
I became frustrated with the limitations of the rig. I
did not consider it to have adequate selectivity on RX.
Since then, I have been using an FT990. The 990 has a
number of flaws. But, it packs a tremendous set of
features (including power supply) in to a single,
relatively lightweight box. The box is not as
compact as you might wish, but has been no trouble
for me to carry on quite a number of expeditions in the
US. I have not used it offshore.
My 990 has the mod. to work with CT and other contest
software.
Please let me know the gist of the other responses you
receive on this interesting subject.
73 de Bob, K0KR
==========
I have carried around a IC-751A
to 5W1, LU and VK9L seem to do a fair job on both CW and phone, has a built
in 115v and 220V P/S or can run on 13.8VDC, weights 26# and is reasonable
priced . I don't think anything else is close execpt the TS-850S, but no
built-in and is more expensive
GL, Rick WB6OKK aka VK9LI/LQ
, LU4FM, ZF2SZ, 5W1JF etc......
==========
Ken -- I travel overseas a lot (100k last year alone), and used to take a
757 with me. I ditched it -- finally -- and found myself in teh same
predicament.
I opted for an FT-890. I use it with Turbolog (for general operating),
keying the cw off the printer port and the freq off the serial port from
the laptop (we always bring laptops with us in the field). IT fits into a
small pelican case with psu -- a switcher I found at Dayton that weighs 8
lbs. Thaat (the small, heavy duty power supply) is the key to me.
GL!
Eric Rosenberg WD3Q, EI4VPS, YJ0AER, J20BY, etc.
ericr at access.digex.com
==========
Ken,
The TS-850 is not bad since it is so small. But you have to be able to
live with two poor design features: no "RIT Clear" button, and
no way to hook up a separate receive antenna.
73,
Bob, N6TV
==========
Good question. I have been pondering that one for several years.
About the only rig that fits the entire bill would be n Icom 751A with built
in pwr supply. It has a built in keyer ( tho I can't see anyone doing a real
serious Contest without a computer for logging, CT etc).
Cw performance was greatly enhanced over the 751 ( from what I've read) and
it is a reasonable size. It also can be used with the optional interface.
I'm not sure there is anything else out there. Speaking from experience, I
took my 767gx with me the last 3 trips to KP2/VP2 and 6Y5 land . Its enough to
give you a hernia. I finally got smart and bought a $200 backpack with frame
to lug it around with. It works fb and leaves my hands free to carry the
laptop, and R5 and luggage. The latest complication is a 2 month old daughter
therefore my trip to 6Y5 land next week is sans Radio... boss's orders. Big
advantage is built in pwr supply/tuner keyer. ( I still take my KC keyer
or use keyboard). Big disadvantage...sucky performance on HF CW ( it never
was a great radio for HF but want can you expect when you get one package
which includes coverage for 6m 2m and 70 cm in one unit.) If I had my choice,
probably would go with a 990. (I hope Trey can get the pgm working with
that rig soon). But then you are still talking big bucks. I settled for
a compromise and picked up a used 735 Icom. No tuner, good CW rig, small size,
Interfaceable and good reputation. Add one deep cycle marine battery and I
should be ok for the time the xyl allows for Dxpeditioning... KH6 in April.
Sure would be interested in your final results.
73 Rob VE4GV
==========
If it meets your size range, I think the IC-751A can be computer controlled.
That might be a rig to look at. It has a fair number of features too.
I decided I was going to use a separate power supply, otherwise I probably
would have gone for the 751A.
The PS-35 is actually a 12 volt 20 amp switcher. I've been told that it
is rated for 50% duty cycle, and will actually handle 70%. I have not had
any trouble with mine, and it has been used in the CQ WW CW from KC6AA,
ZF2PR, A35MX, and S79S as the run station - no trouble at all.
Another thing I like about the 735 is that it doesn't use surface mount
parts, which means I can commit brutal surgery on it and I can field repair
it (which has happened - NEVER travel with the RX antenna jumper installed!).
The 737 is fairly large. I thought their 728(?) was supposed to have a good
receiver, but I haven't looked inside one.
Paul
==========
I don't have the keyer in my IC-735. There is a small PC board area
with connectors for it to plug into.
The problem is that it uses one of the slide pots, which it shares with
something else (microphone gain or some such). The pot is the wrong taper,
and the useful range is a very small part of the travel. Most of the range
is too slow or too fast. I don't know if a logikey would solve the problem.
For the extra circuitry I added I put a piece of PC vectorboard behind the
display - used longer screws and spacers. I've got about four ICs there,
doing the switching for the extra filter and PBT, and giving me a computing
SWR bridge. I'm not convinced that the SWR bridge buys me much, I prefer
to travel with a small Daiwa crossed-needle bridge so I can tune up the amp.
I also added a circuit which beeps when I press any of the memory buttons;
they don't have a tactile feel and the audible confirmation helps when I
hit one quickly.
Paul
==========
I've been very happy with my FT-990, although I bought the one without the
AC supply. Other than that, it meets your criteria. The receiver is VERY
good. As the ever-present second choice, hats off to the IC735.
Ward N0AX
hwardsil at seattleu.edu
==========
I've been told that there is a way to control the 751, but that
it requires some special adapter. The 751A is different, and I
think it takes the normal Icom computer interface.
The 735 is easy to control with the Icom interface or any of a
number of third-party interfaces (I built my own).
Paul
........ And that's all folks! I hope these comments helped those who are
pondering the purchase of a contest/expedition radio. Ken WM2C
>From Leonard J Popyack, Jr." <popyackl at erplab.erp.rl.af.mil Sun Feb 6 05:00:30 1994
From: Leonard J Popyack, Jr." <popyackl at erplab.erp.rl.af.mil (Leonard J Popyack, Jr.)
Date: Sun, 6 Feb 94 01:00:30 EDT
Subject: CT vs. ???
Message-ID: <1465.popyackl at erplab.erp.rl.af.mil_POPMail/PC_3.2.2>
On Tue, 01 Feb 1994 12:06:09 -0500 (ES, Leonard Kay wrote:
>
>
>>>On Mon, 31 Jan 94 11:50:42 EST, Larry Novak wrote:
>>>>
>>>>I hear a lot of discussion about the problems with CT, mostly relating
>>>>to bugs in new versions. I'm wondering why, then, everyone continues
>>>>to use it? I know there must be some people using NA and the new N6TR
>>>>package, but why the overwhelming use of CT?
>
>It works. It works well, for the most part. Obvious bugs like this last
>one we're hearing about with super-check-partial are just stupid little
>flubs that can be fixed pretty easily. MAJOR bugs -- like not scoring
>the contest correctly -- are rare. And it's the default lingua franca of
>contesting. Granted, Microsoft is not well liked these days, either.... but
>if the new revs get buggier and buggier (unlikely) then someone new can `
>always try to muscle in with a new package.
>
>Ever think of what CT's doing while you're running 20?. Lots of info going
>out lots of ports. Coordinating all the computers and rigs for multis. All
>happening real-time while you're sending CW. As Tony LaRussa said, 'There's
>a lot of stuff goes on'.
>
>This is off on a tangent, but stop a minute and think. When do people whine
>about these bugs? Seems like it's usually just before a contest. Great timing.
>Would you buy the latest new version of your word-processing package and
>attempt to use it the day before an important document is due? Or would it be
>better to install it (of course, WITHOUT deleting the previous version) and
>give it a test run when nothing's happening? You can always go back to an earlier
>rev of CT - 6.26 is available as shareware if you don't own any.
>
>Then Len WF2V wrote:
>
>>>Well Larry, lets see. I paid over $75 for it. I guess I am trying to
>>>get my moneys worth out of it. Just like paying too much for a new car
>>>and driving it until the doors fall off. You would think after 8
>>>major revisions the S/W would be Bug-free? NOT!!!
>
>NOT at all, Len. MINOR revisions usually remove bugs. MAJOR revs add them.
>Software becomes bug-free (after bug fixes, of course) when
>no new features are added anymore. And, as Ward N0AX pointed out, there is not
>an army of beta testers that debugs every minor rev. Ken makes each available as
>quickly as possible -- this is a tradeoff.
>
>>>
>>>it is useful for the small number of contests it supports, however.
>
>Small? My version 8.31 shows 16 contests + DXpedition mode. That's almost all my
>operating with exception of NAQP (which NA supports) and the RTTY contests. I know
>one of the big pushes for v9 is user-defined contests. That would end that
>discussion, right?
It sure would. I thought it would do this before I purchesed it. I am
happy with CT (except for the small bugs) for the major contests, but I
run some of the not-so-major contests like ARRL RTTY, PA QSO party, NY QSO
Party, NH QSO party, QRP contests, and others where CT sits on the shelf
useless because it doesnt support them, and I have no (user) power to make
it understand the smaller contests. I can handle small bugs, but when a
fine piece of equipment (or S/W in this case) sits on the shelf it is
useless!!! Come on CT, let the users support some of the smaller (and FUN!)
contests. If CT doesnt I will search for something that does.
>
>Look, K1EA isn't paying me to write this. I just think that overall CT is a
>good package which does a lot. The bottom line is still supply and demand. Write
>a better one. Sorry, I'll stop flaming.
>
>
>Len KB2R len at ariel.coe.neu.edu
I agree, CT is a good package, but it could be better. This is the type
of input the CT author needs! I hope he is listening.
Len WF2V
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