FW: Contest News Release - 10 GHz

aa2du at netcom.com aa2du at netcom.com
Mon Mar 18 11:23:07 EST 1996


On Mon, 18 Mar 96 09:17:00 EST  Zimmerman, Tammy-Beth, KA1WWP wrote:
>
>The American Radio Relay League
>
>225 Main Street, Newington CT USA  06111
>Telephone:     860-594-0200
>Telefax:  860-594-0259
>Internet:      contest at arrl.org
>
>
>CONTEST NEWS RELEASE
>
>March 18, 1996           For Further Information Contact:
>                    Billy Lunt, KR1R
>
>
>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>10-GHz Cumulative Contest Expanded
>
>
>The ARRL Awards Committee has voted unanimously to accept a Contest Advisory 
>Committee recommendation to add the bands above 10 GHz to the ARRL 10-GHz 
>Cumulative Contest.  The purpose of this is to encourage use of the upper 
>microwave bands.
>
>The 10-GHz cumulatives run August 17-18 and September 21-22 in 1996.  In the 
>past there has been no division of entries into categories.  Effective this 
>year there will be two entry categories: "10 GHz only" and "10 GHz and 
>above."
>
>Scoring is based on distance points and QSO points.  Distance points are 
>gained one point for each km between stations for each successfully 
>completed QSO. Count 100 QSO points for each different (unique) call sign 
>worked per band.  (Portable indicators added to a call sign are not 
>considered as making the call sign unique.)  Total score is the sum of 
>distance points and QSO points.  There are no multipliers.
>
>Details will be announced in June 1996 QST.
>
>
>
> - 30 -
>


J.P. Kleinhaus, AA2DU  ARRL CAC hudson Div. Rep.  
E-mail:              aa2du at netcom.com
Compu$erve:  74660,2606

It's not a bug...It's a feature!



>From Ronald D Rossi <rrossi at btv.ibm.com>  Mon Mar 18 16:40:14 1996
From: Ronald D Rossi <rrossi at btv.ibm.com> (Ronald D Rossi)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 11:40:14 -0500
Subject: Andrews Hardline connector question
Message-ID: <9603181640.AA23163 at btv.ibm.com>

		
I have always been able to find the Scotch 130C and super 88, and bulk UV okay 
wire ties at Grainger.  They have locations all over the place.  If you work 
for someone that has an account with them, then you probably can buy at the 
wholesale price (I do). 

-- 
73 de N1PBT...ron (rrossi at btv.ibm.com) <><



>From aa4lr at radio.org (Bill Coleman AA4LR)  Mon Mar 18 15:42:39 1996
From: aa4lr at radio.org (Bill Coleman AA4LR) (Bill Coleman AA4LR)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 11:42:39 -0400
Subject: Tape v. Tie Wraps
Message-ID: <v01540b01ad733331cce6@[206.28.194.40]>

>Fred K1VR wrote:
>I once asked a tower erector what he uses, and he
>offered a very simple solution.
>
>He buys a 500 foot roll of #14 THHN solid copper, black
>insulated wire and cuts it into 9-12 inch lengths.  Once on
>the tower, he just uses these pieces like "twisties" (the
>things which you use to close plastic bags), making the last
>twist with a pair of pliers.  A cheap, uv resistant, water
>is no problem, temperature is no problem solution.  The
>magic is in the THHN insulation.  It won't crack after long
>uv exposure, and it won't permit the copper wire to touch
>the galvanizing of the tower leg, as it is very tough and
>resists abrasion.

This is incredibly CHEAP, too. A 500 foot roll is about $15 at your local
building supply house (read Home Depot). Each roll will produce about 500
wraps, which is considerably more than $15 worth of Scotch 88....


Bill Coleman, AA4LR      Mail: aa4lr at radio.org
Quote: "Not in a thousand years will man ever fly!"
            -- Wilbur Wright, 1901



>From Ward Silver <hwardsil at wolfenet.com>  Mon Mar 18 16:57:30 1996
From: Ward Silver <hwardsil at wolfenet.com> (Ward Silver)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 08:57:30 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Scotch 88, UV
Message-ID: <Pine.OSF.3.91.960318085642.6172A-100000 at gonzo.wolfenet.com>


> Scotch 88 has been around a long time.  They really did that product 
> correctly.  I wonder why nobody else seems to be able to equal Scotch 88?
> 
> 73, Jay
>     w6go at netcom.com

Because the secret formula is in the safe with the recipe for Coca-Cola!

73, Ward N0AX

>From Spike Lazar <slazar19 at sgi.net>  Mon Mar 18 16:59:37 1996
From: Spike Lazar <slazar19 at sgi.net> (Spike Lazar)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 11:59:37 -0500 (EST)
Subject: Skoch uv.aol Tape
Message-ID: <199603181659.LAA12777 at orion.bv.sgi.net>

  
  I have been using Skoch uv.aol tape for over 2 years, and recently when I
  unrapped my connecters, there were no shiny connecters, there were no 
  connecters at all! So now I'm using VE1ZZ connectors, but it does take a lot
  of tape and butyl rubber to cover those 2 liter bottles. If any of you have
  any extra 2 liter bottles, could you please bring them to the contest suite
  at Dayton for me. (I AM NOT ADVERTISING FOR TWO LITER BOTTLES, AND I
  AM NOT DRUNK!)
  
  Long before I used that stuff on antennas, I used that stuff on my
  ex-wife before contests. I use to tie her up with Skoch uv.aol tape and dip
  her into a vat of butyl rubber (I prefer the bright orange myself). This
  works very well for keeping the back ground noise down to an acceptable
  level. Also recently when I ran out of silicone grease, I substituted some
  K-Y Jelly which I usually use on my hardline, and have not had one failure
  on any of my RCA phono plugs! (Much cheaper than those bargain PL-259's.)   
  
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Dr. Bafoofnik **** ( Call witheld to keep the sleuths happy)
  
  
                        " Man will never fly in 1000 years",
  
                          Wilbur & Orville Reddenschmocker
  
  
  
  
  
  
  >
  >
  >>Return-Path: bill.lumnitzer at paonline.com
  >>From: bill.lumnitzer at paonline.com
  >>Organization: Pennsylvania Online
  >>Date: Sun, 17 Mar 96 14:59:18 -0500 (EST)
  >>Subject: Who is dr. bafoofnik?
  >>To: slazar19 at sgi.net
  >>
  >>
  >>Hi Spike:
  >>
  >>Very impressive record!
  >>
  >>I was not aware of your parody since I guess I haven't been reading my email
  >>very closely the past year. I have a young family and don't have the time
  >>or inclination to attend Dayton although I was there in 1986. I have been in
  >>numerous sprints but not lately and have felt kinda of burned out on radio
  >>from trying to do too much. Those 300lb 40m beams take a lot out of you!
  >>This summer I hope to raise the big tower to 140'and get the redesigned,
  >>rebuilt Big 40 back up to its place of honor as well move the 5/5 20 to the
  >>other tower. I have spent most of my time the last few years pushing
aluminum
  >>and fixing problems for my MS/MM crew. We may have crossed paths at one
of the
  >>PVRC/FRC summer meetings and I'll look for you at the next one. No thanks on
  >>the autographed picture but I'd love to meet Warren Buffett if you could
  arrange
  >>that! 
  >>
  >>73 Bill
  >>N6CQ at paonline.com  ***FRC***
  >>
  >> 
  >>
  >
  

End of returned message


>From Rob Snieder PA3ERC <norf at euronet.nl>  Mon Mar 18 22:14:33 1996
From: Rob Snieder PA3ERC <norf at euronet.nl> (Rob Snieder PA3ERC)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 17:14:33 -0500
Subject: BARTG Results PA3ERC
Message-ID: <314DE049.35CB at euronet.nl>

BARTG RTTY Contest 1996


Call used: PA3ERC
Location:  Voorburg

Entry Class: Single Op, All Band   

Band    QSOs   Pts  Dist    DX  Cont
80        75    75     0    24     0
40        99    99     7    30     1
20       131   131    14    36     3
15        14    14     1    10     2
10         0     0     0     0     0
-----   ----  ----  ----  ----  ----
Total    319   319    22   100     6

Score: 233508
--------------------------------------



Claimed Score: 233508


Power Output: 400

Club Participation: Low Land Grazy Contesters

Equipment:
Kenwood TS950SD with Kenwood TL922 (400 Watts)
Fritzel FB53 5 el 10/15/20 meters
KLM Rotary dipole 40 meters
Wire dipole 80 meters
WF1B V2.25a with HAL P38 (worked without any problems)

Comments:
I realy enjoyed the contest. Unfortunately very poor
propagation on 15 and nothing heared on 10.
I wonder if somebody could send me his friend.ini
file? I like to use this next time. It's rather
difficult to create one myselve because I haven't
sorted my qsl cards by mode.


Rob Snieder PA3ERC 

member of Contestgroup Oude Maas PI4COM/PA6WPX

Homepage PI4COM: http://www.euronet.nl/users/norf/pi4com.html
                 Now with lots of picture of the station !

Internet e-mail : norf at euronet.nl
Packet Radio    : PA3ERC at PI8MBQ
PacketCluster   : PA3ERC > PI8DXC



>From k5na at bga.com (Richard L. King)  Mon Mar 18 17:38:37 1996
From: k5na at bga.com (Richard L. King) (Richard L. King)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 11:38:37 -0600
Subject: FW: Contest News Releases - DXpedition
Message-ID: <199603181738.LAA04548 at zoom.bga.com>

>>The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee and the ARRL Awards Committee have voted 
>>in favor of adding DXpedition scores to the club aggregate competition 
>>totals for active affiliated clubs in the ARRL International DX Contest.

I assume that this effects all three club categories including the local
category since no exclusion was mentioned. This change may make the
unlimited and medium club categories more interesting but it will be very
bad for the local club category.

It will strike a death-blow to the personality of local-club competition. It
takes away the fair competitive possibilities that small, local clubs have
and gives it to the clubs that have money and can afford to go on
DXpeditions. It wont take many DXpeditions to completely tilt the local club
competition score away from what a true "local" effort can produce.

The average 'local club' is usually made up of a small group of close-knit
contesters that are willing to sacrifice personal glory to enhance their
club's score. This trait tends to get lost in the larger (and more spread
out) clubs. The local club members live close to one-another, operate close
to one-another, and try to do activities as a 'team'. Many of the local
clubs begin as 'normal' amateur clubs and discover that they can be
competitive in the local club category; so they give it a try. This club
activity can draw their members  more-and-more into contesting.

I think the long term affect of this rule on local clubs will be to
discourage and reduce participation. Therefore the rule is bad for
contesting. I offer my opinion based on years of amateur club participation
with clubs from all three categories. Is it too late to exclude the local
club category from this rule?

73, Richard
K5NA at BGA.COM


>From Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net>  Mon Mar 18 20:02:14 1996
From: Gary Nieborsky <k7fr at ncw.net> (Gary Nieborsky)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 12:02:14 -0800
Subject: FW: Contest News Releases - DXpedition
Message-ID: <199603182002.MAA08588 at bing.ncw.net>

At 11:38 AM 3/18/96 -0600, you wrote:
>>>>>>stuff snipped<<<<<<
>I think the long term affect of this rule on local clubs will be to
>discourage and reduce participation. Therefore the rule is bad for
>contesting. I offer my opinion based on years of amateur club participation
>with clubs from all three categories. Is it too late to exclude the local
>club category from this rule?
>
>73, Richard
>K5NA at BGA.COM
>
Richard,

I just sent off a note to the CAC requesting that they look into revising
the 175 mile circle to allow for those of us that live in the middle of
nowhere to be able to participate in team scores.  Then I read the latest
revision regarding DX-peditions.  Seems that the League again is catering to
a few priveledged groups and ignoring a problem whose solution could enhance
club participation in the home countries.  This is not a problem that is
confined to the lower 48, Alaska and Hawaiian hams face this too. The
Canadians fall into this bucket too.  The rule has its place in areas where
ham population density is high, such as the east coast, and club scores
could be stacked by luring big guns into a certain club.  As you progress
West, North, and South the density falls off and fewer hams fall into the
circle (and I bet club competition does too).

I'd like to see a modification made that would allow club contest score
submittion by stations outside of the circle to any submitting club.  This
would cover DX-peditions as well as everyone else.  If a station fell inside
a recognized club circle then they would submit to that one or any other
that they fell into.  This would not cover just Unlimitted, all classes
would have this option.  This seems to be a simple solution so I'm sure that
there has to be a problem with it.

73 Gary K7FR
176 miles from nowhere.


>From jrouse at dc.infi.net (John L. Rouse)  Sat Mar  9 21:55:07 1996
From: jrouse at dc.infi.net (John L. Rouse) (John L. Rouse)
Date: Sat, 09 Mar 1996 16:55:07 -0500
Subject: Death of ham radio
Message-ID: <199603182114.QAA02788 at mh004.infi.net>

 A particularly erudite column appeared in the Monday New York Times
(Business section, 
Page D5) by Ed Rothstein entitled, "Reports of the computer-assisted death 
of ham radio may be greatly exaggerated..."
 Ed obviously toiled in the garden of hamdom at one point in his life,
noting his "useless ability to translate Morse 
code at fantastically slow rates of speed...."
 The column is a rare one in that it's an informed and on-the-mark look at 
ham radio with, miracle of miracles, a positive and very sympathetic approach. 
 As Ed notes, "But 
the deepest appeal of ham radio may be immune to the Internet challenge. Of
what use is a PC and the Internet when phone lines are down or war breaks
out or a 
storm knocks out power." Yea, Ed!
 Ed goes on to note that hams use the Internet "not as a substitute for ham
radio, but as a method of talking about it. In real ham activity technology
is not talked about but embedded in the essence of the conversation." Great
line, that!!! The ARRL should adopt it..
 "Amateur radio will always require a consciousness of process," Ed continues 
in his eloquent presentation, "if not in learning code, then in studying 
antennas, sunspots, ionospheric conditions.....The technology is intrusive,
audible, malleable and demanding -- which is, if I remember right, just what
makes it so appealing."
 This man deserves a Pulitzer, hi. If you have access to The Times, read the 
whole column. It's a real treat.....And a great boost for our hobby.

73, John KA3DBN

------
/-------------------------------------------------------------------\
 John L. Rouse                  Packet: KA3DBN at KA3RFE.MD.USA.NOA
 Capital-Gazette Communications FAX: (301) 464-7027
 jrouse at dc.infi.net             VOICE MAIL: 1-500-346-0440
.............Baltimore-Washington-Annapolis-Bowie.................
\--------------------------------------------------------------------/


>From Joseph M. O'Brien" <jobrien at minerva.cis.yale.edu  Mon Mar 18 21:15:40 1996
From: Joseph M. O'Brien" <jobrien at minerva.cis.yale.edu (Joseph M. O'Brien)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 16:15:40 -0500 (EST)
Subject: FW: Contest News Releases - DXpedition
Message-ID: <Pine.SOL.3.91.960318161246.22223A-100000 at morpheus>

On Mon, 18 Mar 1996 aa2du at netcom.com wrote:
> On Mon, 18 Mar 96 09:16:00 EST  Zimmerman, Tammy-Beth, KA1WWP wrote:
> >
> >The American Radio Relay League
> >CONTEST NEWS RELEASE
> >The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee and the ARRL Awards Committee have voted 
> >in favor of adding DXpedition scores to the club aggregate competition 
> >totals for active affiliated clubs in the ARRL International DX Contest.


	Being new to this debate, could anyone tell me what is the 
rationale behind this change?   Thanks!

						73,
						Joe O'Brien, WI2E

						jobrien at minerva.cis.yale.edu

>From John Devoldere <john.devoldere at innet.be>  Mon Mar 18 22:13:20 1996
From: John Devoldere <john.devoldere at innet.be> (John Devoldere)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 23:13:20 +0100 (MET)
Subject: FT1000MP and the NUMERICAL KEYPAD on CW
Message-ID: <199603182213.XAA18393 at mail.be.innet.net>

I recntly posted amessage on the rfelctor which had a booboo in the title.

It of course concerns the FT1000MP and not the FT1000D.

Anyone familiar with the FT1000's knows the older D-model does not have such
facility.


Anyhow, the message applies to the  F T 10 00 0 M P .


Sorry for the typo.

73

John



PS I got very few replies on this subject. Is nobody using a numerical
keypad or was I they only one having a problem?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------
john.devoldere at innet.be  
Call us in all major 1996 contests: ON4UN (OT6T in WPX)
John Devoldere (ON4UN-AA4OI)
POBOX 41
B-9000 Ghent (Belgium)


>From John Brosnahan <broz at csn.net>  Mon Mar 18 22:16:28 1996
From: John Brosnahan <broz at csn.net> (John Brosnahan)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 15:16:28 -0700
Subject: PQ0MM location
Message-ID: <199603182216.PAA21781 at lynx.csn.net>

Need a pseudo real time fix on the location of PQ0MM.

Anyone know where PQ0MM really was during the
ARRL DX phone test?

Thanks,

John  W0UN

John Brosnahan  
La Salle Research Corp      24115 WCR 40     La Salle, CO 80645  USA
voice 970-284-6602            fax 970-284-0979           email broz at csn.net


>From Tom Lindtveit <Tom at utd.com>  Mon Mar 18 22:00:43 1996
From: Tom Lindtveit <Tom at utd.com> (Tom Lindtveit)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 1996 17:00:43 -0500
Subject: FW: Contest News Releases - DXpedition
Message-ID: <01BB14F0.9931B9A0 at ulster-port36.mhv.net>

>>The ARRL Contest Advisory Committee and the ARRL Awards Committee have =
voted=20
>>in favor of adding DXpedition scores to the club aggregate competition =

>>totals for active affiliated clubs in the ARRL International DX =
Contest.
I assume that this effects all three club categories including the local
category since no exclusion was mentioned. This change may make the
unlimited and medium club categories more interesting but it will be =
very
bad for the local club category.

It will strike a death-blow to the personality of local-club =
competition. It
takes away the fair competitive possibilities that small, local clubs =
have
and gives it to the clubs that have money and can afford to go on
DXpeditions.=20

Richard Makes a very valid point here. I would think it very possible =
that the Local Club Catagory will be changed to the Small Club Catagory =
by default. Whereas this might allow some of the more "moneyed" clubs to =
whip up on the little guys, it will do nothing to encourage the little =
guys to work their way up. I thought there was a 50 mile radius =
requiirement for local clubs? Won't this violate that rule? Or did we =
throw that out also? I'm with Richard, leave the LOCAL CLUB CATAGORY =
ALONE, please.
=20
de Tom N2GQS
Tom at utd.com

>From Steve Sacco KC2X <kc2x at nebula.ispace.com>  Mon Mar 18 22:33:25 1996
From: Steve Sacco KC2X <kc2x at nebula.ispace.com> (Steve Sacco KC2X)
Date: Mon, 18 Mar 96 17:33:25 -0500
Subject: Rotators for 2 stacked 15/20m yagis / [YAESU COMMENT]
Message-ID: <199603182238.RAA18606 at nebula.ispace.com>

> =====================================================================
> K7LXC
> 
>   .  cast aluminium mast clamps of YAESU rotators don't hold very
>      well and will break under stress
> 
> KC2X
> 
>   .  likes his G2700SDX, but..
>   .  broke 2 of the mast clamps
> =====================================================================
> 
> Yaesu is *very* explicit about how to assemble this bracket.  We have had
no
> problems with and 85# double walled 15' Mast, a TH-7DX 85# and a 2 Element
40M
> 65# with no thrust bearing, and it will turn it in very heavy wind no
problems.
> 
> Back to the clamp, it is a strange set-up but I was very carefull to
follow
> there directions in centering and tightening.  Specifically, tightening is
just
> barely past finger tight and I can well imagine that some guys torqued the
> $@%^%#$ out of the bracket.
> 
> Victor KI6IM
> 

-------- REPLY, End of original message --------

Victor -

I appreciate what you're saying, but I just can't agree.

To me, EXPLICIT would be "xx foot pounds of torque".  I have a torque
wrench, and would have been more than willing to haul it up 125' of tower
to ensure that I didn't over tighten the bracket.

The other nit I have to pick with Yaesu over this goes along the following
philosophical thead: If you are going to sell a product, I should work, and,
by
extension, should not break, when it is sold into the intended market.

I gave a nice guy from Yaesu a ration of #@$@#$ once, when they were having
one of those "Yaesu Daze" things at the local AES.  His suggestion was that
I
drill a hole through the mast and use the pin bolt Yaesu supplies!  I said:
"I don't THINK so!"

I figured out a way to make replacement brackets for the Yaesu or Create
rotors...when I get some time, I'll actually draw out some plans, aquire
some parts, and find someone who can weld...

73,

Steve KC2X
--
kc2x at nebula.ispace.com



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