Automatically fault detection vs low budget approach

[BK1ZX70SFL at aol.com]

One idea for avoiding potential 09:00 zulu bonehead mistakes is to thoroughly
label everything.  The linear should be tuned up on the afternoon before the
contest on each band with markings for the correct settings for each band
made. If you find you cannot always get the same settings over a period of a
couple of days you have some kinda station or antenna problem. The settings
should be a "repeatable" thing...mebbe a minor tweaking but never a serious
one would be needed.

I take a QSL card and cut it out so that it slides over the shafts of the
variables. That cardstock is then taped to the face of the linear so it
doesn't move around. 

Take your time and make the labels as different as possible for each band - a
half dozen colors of felt tip pens is a good start. Try and make everything
for 10 meters in one color and everything for 15 in another, 20 another, etc.
This is best if you can apply it to your entire station. In other words, the
20 meter position on the coax switch, the linear knob position markings , etc
are all the same color.....once your brain is told it is time to qsy to 20
(red) it is easier once you get red on your brain to make all the other knobs
go to red. Don't solely label in color, at the end of the red line write
20...sometimes your mind works better on 20 than on red. I'd keep a chart
alongside the linear that has all the bands and settings on it - just in case
you get total mind-lock!

The latest rage if you are flushed is auto-switch antennas...it is neat,
check out the ads for Top Ten Devices.........when your rig or computer goes
to 20 the auto switch automatically selects the twenty antenna so you don't
stand the chance of trying to load up into the 80 meter dipole...and that
tell tale smell that follows! Some of the guys are using these to switch stub
filters in and out as well. A freind bought one to our multi-op for the ARRL
and I know I want auto switching...it is neat.

This idea works well on labelling rotor control cables and coaxes....i.e. the
yellow tape on a cable indicates it is the 40 meter beam.

Another good thing to do is when you QSY before you go key down, make sure
you hear a reasonable amount of signals/band noise...usually if you selected
the wrong antenna the sigs will be way down. 

PROVEN to do the trick (most of the time)

Jim  K1ZX

k1zx at contesting.com

>From Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy at avana.net>  Sun Apr 14 19:42:06 1996
From: Ed Tanton N4XY <n4xy at avana.net> (Ed Tanton N4XY)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 15:42:06 -0300
Subject: Re. Crap contributions
References: <03960412211130/0006627542DC2EM at MCIMAIL.COM>
Message-ID: <317146FE.356F at avana.net>

Hola! Felipe... I liked your message but felt I had to write an 
answer: 

The root problem within any reflector is not so much that there is too 
much 'crap' but rather: How can you eliminate 'crap' without overt 
censorship. You can appoint monitors, but who monitors the monitors? 
Would such monitors be truly representative of ALL "the people" (on the 
reflector?) Could such monitors truly represent me? I doubt it. 
 
The answer-I believe-is that a reflector becomes self-enforcing through 
the efforts of BOTH sides in the various issues that arise. The 
temperature of the 'flames' cause people to weigh more carefully what 
they say, and whether they should even say it. And, as has been stated 
many times, for those who cannot abide by whatever level/% of 
'crap' ensues, there is always the delete key... or the final solution: 
'unsubscribe'. 73
-- 
        Ed Tanton  N4XY  (770) 971-0436  Marietta, GA
        email: n4xy at avana.net   URL: Coming Soon


>From shwol at worldonline.nl (SHWoldringh)  Sun Apr 14 21:51:47 1996
From: shwol at worldonline.nl (SHWoldringh) (SHWoldringh)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 20:51:47 GMT
Subject: Contest Catagories
References: <960413160704_374791031 at emout06.mail.aol.com>
Message-ID: <31716439.3296737 at mail.worldonline.nl>

On Sat, 13 Apr 1996 16:07:04 -0400, you wrote:

>In a message dated 96-04-13 15:13:12 EDT, you write:
>
>>I am sure it would be more fun if all of us compete for the same
>>title. And if would be a thrill if an operator with 100 watts and just
>>ONE DIPOLE would be the overall winner.
>>
>Hiya, Coen --
>
>     An enticing thought but do you really think that 100 watts and one
>dipole can be competitive against all of the aluminum out there?  It would
>take one of the best operators in the world to work that miracle and it would
>reflect the fact that, yes, he is one of the best operators in the world.
> And he would still beat you and me.  You and I need a category that WE can
>compete in and let the world champs fight it out among themselves. 
>
>73 from pileup fodder,   Steve   K7LXC 


Steve,

Yes I think it could be. If the handicapping is properly done,
everyone of us has the SAME change to be a winner!

I have not problems no to be the winner, but it would be nice to
THINK, and that would be a great motivater, that I had the SAME
CHANGE.

73 
Coen
PA0COE

>From Sante ( IK0HBN )" <ik0hbn at isa.it  Sun Apr 14 22:23:23 1996
From: Sante ( IK0HBN )" <ik0hbn at isa.it (Sante ( IK0HBN ))
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 23:23:23 +0200
Subject: EL2PP HAS BEEN SAVED!
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19960414212411.1bb7844c at net.isa.it>

>From italian TV net we knew that EL2PP had been saved ....now she and her
family are at Dakkar, Senegal.
Her disadventure seems ended....but not the tragedy of the other thousands
of peoples remained in Liberia.
If you judge this message a CRAP, please feel free to flame me directly,
avoiding to overload reflector.
I mean that antennas, tricks, amplifiers and everything else related to our
beloved contest activity are the topics of this reflector, but we first are
human beings and closing our eyes on what seems to be a little far from
afore topics denotes IMHO a very poor and closed mentality. We cannot also
forget that Monica is an ham and truly I don't know with such a courage
these Hams will call her in future contests.

Usual disclaimer: I never contacted Monica in contest, I contacted her only
one time asking a cw contact....never had (she prefers ssb, me cw), she is
not my relative....nor friend.
73 de Sante



Sante LILLO  (IK0HBN)
Localita' Saineta, 3
01030 Bassano in Teverina (VT) Italy
home telephone: +39 (0) 761-407543  (FAX on request)
E-mail: ik0hbn at isa.it
packet adr: IK0HBN at I0INU.IUMB.ITA.EU
DX cluster : IK0HBN > I0JBL-6


>From Sante ( IK0HBN )" <ik0hbn at isa.it  Sun Apr 14 22:32:48 1996
From: Sante ( IK0HBN )" <ik0hbn at isa.it (Sante ( IK0HBN ))
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 23:32:48 +0200
Subject: EL2PP HAS BEEN SAVED!
Message-ID: <1.5.4.16.19960414213336.383f2718 at net.isa.it>

>From italian TV net we knew that EL2PP had been saved ....now she and her
family are at Dakkar, Senegal.
Her disadventure seems ended....but not the tragedy of the other thousands
of peoples remained in Liberia.
If you judge this message a CRAP, please feel free to flame me directly,
avoiding to overload reflector.
I mean that antennas, tricks, amplifiers and everything else related to our
beloved contest activity are the topics of this reflector, but we first are
human beings and closing our eyes on what seems to be a little far from
afore topics denotes IMHO a very poor and closed mentality. We cannot also
forget that Monica is an ham and truly I don't know with such a courage
these Hams will call her in future contests, as contests seems to be the
only thing can interess them.
I want offending nobody, if I wrong in that, please accept my apologies.
Usual disclaimer: I never contacted Monica in contest, I contacted her only
one time asking a cw contact....never had (she prefers ssb, me cw), she is
not my relative....nor friend....so why this message? They are ONLY human
beings...
73 de Sante



Sante LILLO  (IK0HBN)
Localita' Saineta, 3
01030 Bassano in Teverina (VT) Italy
home telephone: +39 (0) 761-407543  (FAX on request)
E-mail: ik0hbn at isa.it
packet adr: IK0HBN at I0INU.IUMB.ITA.EU
DX cluster : IK0HBN > I0JBL-6


>From k0wa at southwind.net (Lee Buller)  Sun Apr 14 23:26:27 1996
From: k0wa at southwind.net (Lee Buller) (Lee Buller)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 17:26:27 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: Contest Catagories
Message-ID: <199604142226.RAA07753 at onyx.southwind.net>

Well, I've been reading with interest about the reaction to my
posting about Contest Catagories.

Here is another proposal.....

Why not a contest that is limited to 100 watts and a dipole on each
band?  Level playing ground.  Run it like the Sprints.  

Oh yes...

The exchange would be your mother's first name and your waist size
So my exchange would be  myrle 48  (Whatta Hunk!)

or

The exchange could be your middle name and your hat size.
Again, my exchange would be  Glenn 7 3/4  (I know "FAT HEAD")


or

The exchange could be your weight and the height of the dipole off the 
gound.  Again, the exchange would be 265 42 (or was that my waist size?)  

Well, you all get the picture.  That would be fun.

I do like the low-power multi-op catagories on SS.

Keep the lamps lit in the 220

Lee
k0wa at southwind.net


>From k0wa at southwind.net (Lee Buller)  Sun Apr 14 23:26:44 1996
From: k0wa at southwind.net (Lee Buller) (Lee Buller)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 17:26:44 -0500 (CDT)
Subject: SS Scores
Message-ID: <199604142226.RAA08067 at onyx.southwind.net>

Ladies and Gentlemen....


Any comments on the SS Scores just coming out in QST?

AB0S (Multi-op from W0CEM) on CQ was tenth (Thats me and the guys)

W0CEM (Multi-op) on SSB was eight (I believe)  (Thats me and the guys
too)

What are the comments on the other scores.  Pretty good contest
this year.  How do you guys find all those QSOs.  We worked as
many as we could hear?

Interested in Comments

Lee Buller
k0wa at southwind.net


>From Tom Francis <tomf at neca.com>  Mon Apr 15 00:26:01 1996
From: Tom Francis <tomf at neca.com> (Tom Francis)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 1996 19:26:01 -0400
Subject: Replacing cables, etc.
Message-ID: <199604142326.TAA08762 at orion.neca.com>

At 02:00 PM 4/14/96 -0400, you wrote:
>Gentlemen...
>One does not need to buy the cables from the manufacturer. Look in the yellow
>pages of your phone directory under the heading WIRE ROPE manufacturers. ANY
>competent wire rope place can duplicate your tower cable EXACTLY as they came
>from the factory and you have the choice of materials used...

        I checked with the local cable company, Wire Works, in Putnam, CT, 
        just for curiosity when the original message was posted and they can 
        and do make exact replacement cables for crank-up towers - no sweat
-           in fact when I mentioned it to the manager, he said they
occasionally
        make cable for Tri-EX and he mentioned a couple of others...
        and cheap to!! They are also cable riggers.  Look around in your local
        area, there's probably a cable rigger somewhere near you if you
        want to replace your cables...


        73

        Tom, NM1Q (tomf at neca.com)


>From n4xm at iglou.com (Paul D. Schrader)  Mon Apr 15 01:10:00 1996
From: n4xm at iglou.com (Paul D. Schrader) (Paul D. Schrader)
Date: Sun, 14 Apr 96 20:10 EDT
Subject: SS Scores
Message-ID: <m0u8bs3-00035dC at mail.iglou.com>


If you work everything you hear then it means you're not hearing
very well.

                73 Paul N4XM


>Ladies and Gentlemen....
>
>
>Any comments on the SS Scores just coming out in QST?
>
>AB0S (Multi-op from W0CEM) on CQ was tenth (Thats me and the guys)
>
>W0CEM (Multi-op) on SSB was eight (I believe)  (Thats me and the guys
>too)
>
>What are the comments on the other scores.  Pretty good contest
>this year.  How do you guys find all those QSOs.  We worked as
>many as we could hear?
>
>Interested in Comments
>
>Lee Buller
>k0wa at southwind.net
>
>
>