Contest/ DXpedition site available

N3ADL at aol.com N3ADL at aol.com
Fri Jan 19 23:51:33 EST 1996


The V26B contest site is available for DXpeditions or contest (CQWW is
booked) activity. Station consists of 4 towers and decent antenna's..6 el on
10 at 70'..5 ele on 15 at 70'... 3 over 3 stack on 20m...2 el 40m yagi at 70'
and delta loop/vertical for 80m....and inv L on 160.  An 80m rotatable dipole
is under construction but is here stateside at the moment. 7/8" hardline
feeds the antenna system.

The host has one transceiver but it is best if you bring your own rig and
amplifier. The station is set up for 5 operating sites but is a bit cramped.
The site is a cottage next to the main house that has 1 private bedroom that
sleeps 2 and a bed in one room of the shack that sleeps 2. A small kitchen
with stove, refridgerator, and sink along with a full bathroom completes the
picture. 

The station IS NOT really fit to bring the YL but is more like a weekend at
the hunting cabin, however, lodging is available at a resort hotel nearby
with ALL the goodies.....Casino, beautiful pool, and spotless, clothing
optional beach only steps away from a 8 story high rise hotel that overlooks
the northwestern side of one of Antigua's most secluded coves. Package prices
are available that include a buffet style meal twice a day if you don't want
to go it alone. There is nothing like having a MAI TAI after a day of DXing
at the poolside bar!

Licensing is a snap through the local gov't office and special calls are
available for contests , if not previously issued, for a nominal fee.

For more information contact Sam Harner, V26B, at area code 717-355-2925 or
EMAIL WT3Q at aol.com

                                                    73 de Doug // V26DX

>From pkorkows at badlands.nodak.edu (Patrick J. Korkowski)  Sat Jan 20 05:44:24 1996
From: pkorkows at badlands.nodak.edu (Patrick J. Korkowski) (Patrick J. Korkowski)
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 23:44:24 -0600
Subject: RUFZ??
Message-ID: <199601200544.XAA94292 at badlands.NoDak.edu>

Can anyone tell me how to relate the Paris speed used in the RUFZ program, 
to WPM?  Thanks, Pat KB0IHM


>From Steven Sample <aa9ax at iglou.com>  Sat Jan 20 02:53:54 1996
From: Steven Sample <aa9ax at iglou.com> (Steven Sample)
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 21:53:54 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Fish Head Gas
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960119215232.4062A-100000 at iglou>

Dr. Baffoffnik:

This has to go down in history as one of your greatest brainchildren.

I guess this is why I continue to communicate with you.

73,

Slim

>From Joe_Wilkowski at mc.xerox.com (Wilkowski,Joe)  Sat Jan 20 03:35:52 1996
From: Joe_Wilkowski at mc.xerox.com (Wilkowski,Joe) (Wilkowski,Joe)
Date: Fri, 19 Jan 1996 19:35:52 PST
Subject: CQ WW 160 Contest Log Checking
Message-ID: <"<6424003181B7677C>6424003181B7677C at X-MC-0819-MS2.XEROX"@-SMF->

I'm sorry, I have to agree with Daves reasoning, statistically 
 speaking, he will only eliminate a very few contacts using this 
 process, and if you had to be the guy with the legitimate contact that 
 no one else heard and stretched reasonability, then its a jungle out 
 there, feces occur ........

73

Joe
----------
From: owner-cq-contest at tgv.com
To: cq-contest at tgv.com
Cc: "Bill Fisher, KM9P"
Subject: Re: CQ WW 160 Contest Log Checking
Date: Friday, January 19, 1996 2:56PM

At 02:18 PM 1/19/96 -0500, you wrote:

>I do follow N4IN's rule about removing contacts in doubt.  For example, I
>worked a KL7 a few years ago which he removed as no one east of W5 logged
>him and this guy was not yet in the call book with his new call.   I have a
>QSL, but Don said better luck next time!

Boy, I don't know about the rest of you, but I sure have a problem with this
kind of log checking.  It's one thing to take out a QSO that you can prove
to a reasonable doubt is bad, it's another to take it out because you
"figure" it's bad.  I'll bet K1ZM/2 works alot of stuff most of us would
figure might not be possible.  N4RJ told me he worked 9M2AX LP on 160 the
other night...  I'll be most would figure that QSO not possible.  I'll bet
the QSL card says differently.

73

Bill

>From Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com  Sat Jan 20 14:28:47 1996
From: Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 10:28:47 -0400
Subject: ARRL RTTY Roundup 96 Scores Final Posting
Message-ID: <199601201532.KAA27810 at mail-hub.interpath.net>

1996 ARRL RTTY ROUNDUP
Raw Scores

Compiled by
WA4ZXA

Date Posted: 1/20/96
Final Posting

****>>>NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR WA4ZXA -- floydjr at interpath.com <<<****
                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


CALL              SECT    HRS        SCORE     Q'S    PTS    QTH    DX
_______________________________________________________________________

Single Op/HP/All Band

WP2/KS9W                           139,230    1377   1365     57    45
AB5KD              TX              137,025    1312   1305     56    49
N9ITX/7            MT      24      128,132    1244   1244     55    48
KF3P               MD              106,848    1029   1008     55    51
K1IU               RI               97,118     992    991     55    43
WA7FOE             WA               86,664     942            56    36
AI7B               OR      24       85,170    1017   1002     55    30 
WA7FAB             OR               82,710     924    919     55    35
K0RC               MN               69,454     859    847     51    31
VE6JY              AB               68,556     788    788     53    34
N6HC               CA               63,960     820               78
WA4VQD             FL               59,843     722    721     53    30
W5YM               AR      20       47,892     615    614     54    24
WB0BLR             IA               47,795     605    605     47    32
KB5HVN             IA               41,480     610    610     51    17
N0AB               NM      17       40,950     547    546     52    23
KC4UH              SC      18       39,552     619    618        64
OH2LU                               34,030     410            34    49
N5XUS                               24,832     388               64
SM3KOR                              24,336     314    312     41    37
OH2GI                               23,088     296            27    51
SM3KOR                              24,336     314    312     41    37
KF4BU              FL               16,632     256    252     50    16
IK2HKT                              15,663     227    227     29    40
JH5ZCP (OP JR5JAQ)                  13,041     207    207        63
W2JGR/0            MN               10,710     210            41    10
N2HOS                                4,935     105               47
ZS6BRH                               3,362      84     82     18    23


Single Op/LP/All Band

AA5AU              LA      24       87,290    1015   1015     54    32
N1RCT              ME               66,794     751    734     52    39
V31JU                               58,800     735    735     53    27
KK4DK              FL               56,191     677    677     51    32
KN6DV              CA               53,586     700    687     53    25
N9CKC              WI               49,410     610    610     52    29
N1OAZ              NH               47,227     574    569     51    32
K5ED               TX               46,332     572    572     56    25
KE7GH              AZ               45,184     708    706     51    13
K0BX               MO      20       44,115     519    519     51    34
WA4ZXA             NC      24       41,148     508    508     54    27
KE2UV              NY               41,064     475            52    35
CF6FR (OP VE6FR)   AB               38,480     592            52    13
N4SR               VA               38,400     514    514     49    26  
VE6KRR             AB               37,422     567    567     50    16
WA6SDM             CA               37,512     521    521     52    20
VE6ZX                               35,945     553               65 
W6/G0AZT           CA               27,122     382            52    19
KI0W               MO               23,643     339    333     51    20
WM2U               NY               20,020     286    286     45    25
KF20G              NY               19,971     317    317     49    14
VE7OR              BC               19,654     317    317     54     8
KA5MGL             AR               15,235     277    277     49     6
OZ5MJ                               14,322     218    217     28    38
KC7MJ              AZ               14,098     266    266     46     7
KL7DN/1            VT               13,845     213    213     42    23
N0DH               WA               10,971     207    207     42    11
VE2AXO             PQ      13       10,962     203    203     42    12
AA6TY              CA               10,550     211    211     43     7
KD0AV              IL       5        5,368     122    122     41     3
WU1F               MA                4,956     118            32    10
KD4UIE             FL                4,275      95     95     39     6
W1HFN              MA                3,318      79     79     42     0


Mutlt-Op

AA4NC              NC               73,402     749            55    43
VE3FJB             ON               64,152     732    729     50    38
W7LZP              WA               54,901     713    713     53    24
KQ4QM              NC               54,372     591    591     49    43
AA6KX LP                            51,030     729            52    18
AE5EA                               44,162     622    622     53    18
N5MTS              TX               39,600     551    550     49    23
N1JEB LP           MA               37,680     592            52    13
T91ENS LP                  23       31,995     405    405     40    39

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
IMPORTANT!! As you see above I have a new email address. I will still be
getting mail at the old one until Feb. 1. After that is will all have to 
come to the new one. 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Remember that these are NOT OFFICIAL SCORES. I received a few scores and
the notes sounded like they thought they were. You still have to send 
your scores to the ARRL. 

Looks like some great scores coming in. Remember if I only get Single Op 
All Band, you go into the HP class. Several have come in that way. Sorry
about it taking so long getting these on, but due to big server crash it
has got me behind. 

73's  Jim 


>From Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com  Sat Jan 20 14:35:41 1996
From: Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 10:35:41 -0400
Subject: ARRL RTTY Roundup 96 Scores Final Posting (Corrected)
Message-ID: <199601201539.KAA28123 at mail-hub.interpath.net>

1996 ARRL RTTY ROUNDUP
Raw Scores

Compiled by
WA4ZXA

Date Posted: 1/20/96
Final Posting

****>>>NEW EMAIL ADDRESS FOR WA4ZXA -- floydjr at interpath.com <<<****
                                       ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


CALL              SECT    HRS        SCORE     Q'S    PTS    QTH    DX
_______________________________________________________________________

Single Op/HP/All Band

WP2/KS9W                           139,230    1377   1365     57    45
AB5KD              TX              137,025    1312   1305     56    49
N9ITX/7            MT      24      128,132    1244   1244     55    48
KF3P               MD              106,848    1029   1008     55    51
K1IU               RI               97,118     992    991     55    43
WA7FOE             WA               86,664     942            56    36
AI7B               OR      24       85,170    1017   1002     55    30 
WA7FAB             OR               82,710     924    919     55    35
K0RC               MN               69,454     859    847     51    31
VE6JY              AB               68,556     788    788     53    34
N6HC               CA               63,960     820               78
WA4VQD             FL               59,843     722    721     53    30
W5YM               AR      20       47,892     615    614     54    24
WB0BLR             IA               47,795     605    605     47    32
KB5HVN             IA               41,480     610    610     51    17
N0AB               NM      17       40,950     547    546     52    23
KC4UH              SC      18       39,552     619    618        64
OH2LU                               34,030     410            34    49
N5XUS                               24,832     388               64
SM3KOR                              24,336     314    312     41    37
OH2GI                               23,088     296            27    51
SM3KOR                              24,336     314    312     41    37
KF4BU              FL               16,632     256    252     50    16
IK2HKT                              15,663     227    227     29    40
JH5ZCP (OP JR5JAQ)                  13,041     207    207        63
W2JGR/0            MN               10,710     210            41    10
N2HOS                                4,935     105               47
ZS6BRH                               3,362      84     82     18    23


Single Op/LP/All Band

AA5AU              LA      24       87,290    1015   1015     54    32
N1RCT              ME               66,794     751    734     52    39
V31JU                               58,800     735    735     53    27
KK4DK              FL               56,191     677    677     51    32
KN6DV              CA               53,586     700    687     53    25
N9CKC              WI               49,410     610    610     52    29
N1OAZ              NH               47,227     574    569     51    32
K5ED               TX               46,332     572    572     56    25
KE7GH              AZ               45,184     708    706     51    13
K0BX               MO      20       44,115     519    519     51    34
WA4ZXA             NC      24       41,148     508    508     54    27
KE2UV              NY               41,064     475            52    35
CF6FR (OP VE6FR)   AB               38,480     592            52    13
N4SR               VA               38,400     514    514     49    26  
VE6KRR             AB               37,422     567    567     50    16
WA6SDM             CA               37,512     521    521     52    20
VE6ZX                               35,945     553               65 
W6/G0AZT           CA               27,122     382            52    19
KI0W               MO               23,643     339    333     51    20
WM2U               NY               20,020     286    286     45    25
KF20G              NY               19,971     317    317     49    14
VE7OR              BC               19,654     317    317     54     8
KA5MGL             AR               15,235     277    277     49     6
OZ5MJ                               14,322     218    217     28    38
KC7MJ              AZ               14,098     266    266     46     7
KL7DN/1            VT               13,845     213    213     42    23
N0DH               WA               10,971     207    207     42    11
VE2AXO             PQ      13       10,962     203    203     42    12
AA6TY              CA               10,550     211    211     43     7
KD0AV              IL       5        5,368     122    122     41     3
WU1F               MA                4,956     118            32    10
KD4UIE             FL                4,275      95     95     39     6
W1HFN              MA                3,318      79     79     42     0


Mutlt-Op

AA4NC              NC               73,402     749            55    43
VE3FJB             ON               64,152     732    729     50    38
W7LZP              WA               54,901     713    713     53    24
KQ4QM              NC               54,372     591    591     49    43
AA6KX LP                            51,030     729            52    18
AB5EA LP                            44,162     622    622     53    18
N5MTS              TX               39,600     551    550     49    23
N1JEB LP           MA               37,680     592            52    13
T91ENS LP                  23       31,995     405    405     40    39

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
IMPORTANT!! As you see above I have a new email address. I will still be
getting mail at the old one until Feb. 1. After that is will all have to 
come to the new one. 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Remember that these are NOT OFFICIAL SCORES. I received a few scores and
the notes sounded like they thought they were. You still have to send 
your scores to the ARRL. 

Looks like some great scores coming in. Remember if I only get Single Op 
All Band, you go into the HP class. Several have come in that way. Sorry
about it taking so long getting these on, but due to big server crash it
has got me behind. 

73's  Jim 


>From Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com  Sat Jan 20 15:08:34 1996
From: Jimmy R. Floyd" <floydjr at Interpath.com (Jimmy R. Floyd)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 11:08:34 -0400
Subject: Omitted Score RTTY Roundup
Message-ID: <199601201611.LAA29331 at mail-hub.interpath.net>

I am so sorry but I omitted a score for the roundup. You can add this to
your scores.

Single/Op/LP
AA4M        MO      23        66,392       772     772     51    35

This was my fault.

73's Jim



>From peterj at netcom.com (Peter Jennings)  Sat Jan 20 16:14:44 1996
From: peterj at netcom.com (Peter Jennings) (Peter Jennings)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 08:14:44 -0800
Subject: CQ WW 160 Contest Log Checking
Message-ID: <199601201614.IAA27722 at netcom.netcom.com>


At 02:18 PM 1/19/96 -0500, you wrote:

>I do follow N4IN's rule about removing contacts in doubt.  For example, I
>worked a KL7 a few years ago which he removed as no one east of W5 logged
>him and this guy was not yet in the call book with his new call.   I have a
>QSL, but Don said better luck next time!

I am afraid I have a problem understanding this one. I often find mults
by working non-contesters and convincing them to give me a 001. Does this
mean they are likely to be deleted? Why am I wasting my time? I guess
we have to only work "contesters" in the contest.

Peter
C31LJ  - look for me in 160 contest next week! And make sure your neighbor
         works me too, or it might not count if I get lazy and don't send
         in my logs.

--                                 peterj at netcom.com

>From David Robbins <robbins at berkshire.net>  Sun Jan 21 01:57:38 1996
From: David Robbins <robbins at berkshire.net> (David Robbins)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 17:57:38 -0800
Subject: 160m log checking
Message-ID: <31019D92.2F52 at berkshire.net>

>>I do follow N4IN's rule about removing contacts in doubt.  For example, I
>>worked a KL7 a few years ago which he removed as no one east of W5 logged
>>him and this guy was not yet in the call book with his new call.   I have a
>>QSL, but Don said better luck next time!

>I am afraid I have a problem understanding this one. I often find mults
>by working non-contesters and convincing them to give me a 001. Does this
>mean they are likely to be deleted? Why am I wasting my time? I guess
>we have to only work "contesters" in the contest.

did i miss something?  was there an official statement about how contacts
are removed in the 160m tests from n4in???  i don't see one in my trash 
folder here, was my mail server messed up or something?

73, dave
-- 
ky1h at berkshire.net   or   robbins at berkshire.net
http://www.berkshire.net/~robbins/ky1h.html
WWW Page now has New England Flea Market list from W1GSL


>From Hans Brakob <71111.260 at compuserve.com>  Sat Jan 20 20:36:31 1996
From: Hans Brakob <71111.260 at compuserve.com> (Hans Brakob)
Date: 20 Jan 96 15:36:31 EST
Subject: Minnesota Tower Test
Message-ID: <960120203630_71111.260_EHM144-1 at CompuServe.COM>

The ice storm Wedenesday night made the Twin City area  
an involuntary site for the strength testing of antennas 
and towers. It might be instructive to tabulate what failed
and what survived to see if there is any common thread in
our experiences.  Perhaps we can figure out the best/worst
CONTEST antenna farms in relation to weather survival.

Post me a quick note containing the following detail. I will
consolidate.  Include information on others that
you know who are not on the reflector.  Inputs from others
outside the Minneapolis are who have detail from ice previous
ice storms would be welcome.

1) Your location, and an estimate of the radial ice load
on your towers/antennas. Estimate of peak/sustained
wind speed at your location.

2a) What failed? (Model, height, guyed/unguyed).
2b) Failure mode? (Elements bent, broken, etc.  Tower
broke at what point, bent (warped or kinked?), etc.)
2c) Condition/age/state of repair before the ice storm.

3) What survived? (Model, height, guyed/unguyed, etc.)

- - - - - -

For starters, here's my status:

1) K0HB, Plymouth, MN. About 1/5 inch ice on vertical surfaces
(verticals, tower legs), 3/8 inch on horizontal surfaces
(yagi elements, wire antennas), with icicles hanging.
Winds were in the 35-45MPH range.

2a) GAP DX-IV Voyager (45ft tall), guyed per manufacturers 
instructions.
2b) Bent over double just above the insulator, roughly
half way between the guy points.
2c) Excellent condition (like new).

3) My TH7 on a 40foot Universal unguyed aluminum tower
survived with no visible damage.  Antenna is still well
iced up, and all resonant points are MUCH lower in freq
than normal, ( perhaps due to increased diameter?).

73, de Hans, K0HB


>From Randy Thompson <k5zd at remus.ultranet.com>  Sat Jan 20 20:54:24 1996
From: Randy Thompson <k5zd at remus.ultranet.com> (Randy Thompson)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 15:54:24 -0500
Subject: CQ WW 160 Contest Log Checking
Message-ID: <01BAE751.FA61F180 at k5zd.ultranet.com>

> From: 	David L. Thompson[SMTP:thompson at mindspring.com]
> Sent: 	Friday, January 19, 1996 2:18 PM
>=20
>=20
> Every log is hand checked for errors in the N4IN format.  We find KH8 =
listed
> as CT but with 10 points as an example.  We look at uniques which are =
busted
> calls (K4DOL =3D K4ODL).  This is counted if state/location is correct =
unless
> a duplicate.=20

Wait a minute.  If someone busts a call (for whatever reason), you don't =
count it against them if they get the rest of the information correct?

> Most "not in the log" are simply they came back and the contact timing =
felt
> correct.  There is not a competitive  entrant who has not logged a =
contact
> discovered not in the log!  On big scores this often means thousands =
of
> points lost...but since this is still an innocent mistake no pentaly =
is
> exacted!   =20
>=20
Wow!  Not in logs don't count against you either?!  If it is not in log =
then it is probably not a valid QSO.

> I do follow N4IN's rule about removing contacts in doubt.  For =
example, I
> worked a KL7 a few years ago which he removed as no one east of W5 =
logged
> him and this guy was not yet in the call book with his new call.   I =
have a
> QSL, but Don said better luck next time!  Last year I removed several =
mults
> as the station was the only one to work the station and not even a =
nearby
> active entrant had the station in the log! ( USA/EU or JA/ASIA).    =
Contacts
> with countries not allowed 160 are removed, too.  A YB had almost a =
page of
> JA's on SSB which were removed as JA can only use CW on 160.   =20
>=20
So the two items above (busted calls and not-in-log) that almost =
everyone would agree should be removed from a log are not.  Yet, =
unverified unique QSOs are removed.  My lesson learned from this is that =
mistakes are OK, but searching out new sources of activity for the =
contest are not.  I know several people who swore they would never =
return to this contest based on N4IN's past history on this point.

I don't mean to dump on Dave here, we all know how much work is required =
to check a full set of logs, but the log checking criteria he has =
specified for the CQ 160 contests is almost exactly opposite of that =
used for CQ's WW and WPX contests.  At least now we know what it is... =
and don't have to worry about copying those calls quite so carefully =
this year!




Randy Thompson, K5ZD
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Note new address (Jan 5, 1996): k5zd at remus.ultranet.com
11 Hollis Street,  Uxbridge, MA 01569
h (508) 278-2355         w (508) 543-8600 x-260

>From Ken Claerbout <76065.3345 at compuserve.com>  Sat Jan 20 22:33:47 1996
From: Ken Claerbout <76065.3345 at compuserve.com> (Ken Claerbout)
Date: 20 Jan 96 17:33:47 EST
Subject: CQ 160 Meter Log Checking
Message-ID: <960120223346_76065.3345_GHC53-1 at CompuServe.COM>

I figure I'll throw in my two cents worth on this topic.  While it might seem
like a reasonable practice to remove certain unique contacts, the question
really comes down to which side you want to err on.  

In 1990 I wrote a letter to Don N4IN inquiring about a small reduction in my
score
during the 1989 CQWW CW contest while I was operating as KE9A/DU3.
He gave the following reasons for removing the contacts in question:

QSO #55 RV9FQ is unique, not wkd by anyone else, but still allowed
QSO #63 HB9CXZ is unique, prob a dud, but allowed
QSO #68 DF0WE is unique, almost certain dud, Delete
QSO #74 JH7VSO is unique, not in book, Delete

Don's comments included "Of course a unique QSO may be OK, but it's very
unlikely that a DU3 would work two unique Europeans.  Out of 8 apparent
discrepancies, only 3 were deleted, and the allowable extra penalty for each
was not invoked, because no errors appear to be deliberate."

Having read Don's comments at the time, I agreed with his line of reasoning
and didn't think much about it.  A few months later I decided to drop a note to 
WB9YXY (my QSL manager) asking him to check if we received cards
from RV9FQ, HB9CXZ, and DF0WE.  Well guess what?  A few weeks later
I received an envelope from Bob with the requested QSL's proving that these
contacts were in fact legit.  Luckly the score reduction didn't change the
outcome and the final score was not changed substantially.  It did however,
point to a small flaw in the reasoning used to check my log.

I sent Don a very polite letter along with a copy of the cards to show him that
I did in fact work the stations in question. If it's one thing I learned over 3
years
in DU and thousand of contacts later, it is that my busted to correct call ratio
was quite good.  There were very few times when WB9YXY would find a busted
call in the log when comparing it to the thousands of cards received.  The point
is that my money is on my log and not some "book" that doesn't show JH7VSO,
or the fact that I have 2 contacts that no one else managed to work.  The better
luck next time comment (regarding K4JRB's KL7 qso) comes off as a bit flippant.

While my case may be more of the exception rather than the rule,
it does point out the need to be careful when using a less than
certain method for removing questionable contacts.  Please don't take
this as a shot at N4IN, K4JRB or anyone else who volunteers their time
to check contest logs.  Their efforts are greatly appreciated.  Now if I
could only get the power company to fix the horendous line noise problem
that popped up 2 weeks ago and is destroying 160 meters.  Maybe then
I could get on for the contest next weekend.  No, a sledge hammer didn't
do the job.

				73  Ken KE9A  


>From Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net>  Sun Jan 21 00:50:37 1996
From: Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net> (Gary Nieborsky)
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 1996 16:50:37 -0800
Subject: CQ 160 Meter Log Checking
Message-ID: <199601210050.QAA03251 at bing.ncw.net>

At 05:33 PM 1/20/96 EST, you wrote:
>  Now if I could only get the power company to fix the horendous line noise
problem
>that popped up 2 weeks ago and is destroying 160 meters.  Maybe then
>I could get on for the contest next weekend.  No, a sledge hammer didn't
>do the job.
>
Ken,

Please don't use sledge hammers!  The cause of the problem may well be a bad
insulator and whacking the pole may cause it to short to ground or
mechanically fail.  Either one will generally cause you to soil your under
garments in response to the failure. Plus it's really dangerous and can open
you up to legal problems.  It's not your pole.

I'm chief engineer for a power company.  I'll give you some hints on how to
get the line noise taken care of.

1. If it's an investor owned (IO) and none of the following methods
work....call the state public utility commission (PUC).  The one thing an IO
can't stand is to have is an unhappy PUC at rate hike request time.  Unhappy
customers equates to unhappy PUC...the more you squeek, the unhappier they get.

2. If it's a public (REA, Municipal, Public Utility District), go find out
who is on the governing board.  If they're appointed by a higher authority,
go find the higher authority, then squeek REAL loud.  Especially if it's
near election time.

Now for the "Through The Proper Chain Of Command Method"

Go find the Local Manager for your area.  Sometimes they're called
Superintendents.  Go talk FACE to FACE.  Phone calls rarely work.  Explain
your situation.  Request that a serviceman come out and look around.  BE
THERE WHEN HE IS!! Bring a portable AM radio.  It helps to ask questions.
Most servicemen will take this on as a challenge and put a whole lot more
effort into finding your problem if you are there too.  A faceless trouble
report will get little attention.  If the servicemen can't isolate the
problem they will usually bring in the radio shop boys....but generally the
serviceman will find it.

-or---> go find a local ham who works for the power company.  Usually they
can go talk with the Local Manager and start the ball rolling.

-or---> go find out if anyone in the radio shop is a ham. The above applies.

-or---> before you resort to 1or 2 at the top, see if the noise is causing
any of the local emergency services people a problem.  One call from the
police will generate remarkable activity.  Better yet, find a ham in the
police department....a little white lie.......

73 es GL
Gary K7FR
Antenna Farms





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