[Fourlanders] 222 in June Contest

[Brian McCarthy]

To all,

This started out as a direct and private response to Dick about how 222 
played in the contest. This email started to take a life of it's own as 
I thought through the question and started to analyze the situation. I 
am now copying the "List" so that everyone can read it and comment if 
they wish. Please pardon the length.

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Funny you should ask about how 222 did...from a raw QSO's standpoint, it 
is a bit disappointing given all the new hardware and the increase in 
power (which was only 500-600 watts). If I include the cost of the 
truck, trailer, Command amp, Lunar-Link amp, K2, DEMI transverter and 
misc. things like the wiring for the trailer - I am still above $1k/qso 
at 48 qso's and 22 grids. I believe the EME guys use a goo/qso formula 
that would make this about 1/2 goo per q'.

On the other hand - If I consider that many of the significant single 
op's spent a lot more time on 6m and that conditions on everything else 
above 6m just stunk, it played very very well. In past years there have 
been a number of passes made to 222 that were not completed, or that 
took a LOT of time and concentrated effort to complete. Most passes this 
year were simple and I was able to get the station passed onto 432 
easily. I think there were only two failed passes, but I find only one 
in Writelog. I guess we picked up the other one later or it was not 
passed via the sked feature. We missed K1BO in EM95 on a pass to 222, we 
also never worked him on 432, but both bands did work EM95.

Another thing that has happened in past years is that we have heard more 
on 222 than we have worked. This did not happen this year. 
Unfortunately, I never did hear K3YTL and others in that distance range 
on either evening like I have in the past. Again, conditions were lowsy.

Excluding the Sept. 2001 contest with its exceptional conditions all up 
and down the east coast, the score on 222 has been 46-53 q's with 22-26 
grids. In Sept. 2001 we did 65 q's and 34 grids on 222. The comparison 
numbers for 144 are 203-218 q's and 49-55 grids. The 432 numbers for the 
same dates are 65-84 q's and 23-29 grids. Their Sept. 2001 exceptional 
conditions numbers are 249/65 for 144 and 89/36 for 432, so 144 really 
got the benefit in 2001 to the loss of 6m and 432 stayed about the same. 
This year 144 took a hit from the 6m activity and conditions at 158/41 
for a 20-25% drop.

If one were to ask what I will want to change for September, here are 
the specific items on my list for the 222 station:

1) Install a better method of connecting the RF-input of the Lunar-Link 
amplifier. I had a couple of adapters inline due to a clearance issue 
and the inset BNC connector on the Lunar-Link. This cost me about 1-2 
watts of drive power.

2) Make better DC power cords for the DEMI transverter and sequencer. I 
lost 1-2 watts of drive by Y-adapting  the 12VDC line to them with a 
cable that limited the current. I ran out of time. I may change my 
connections to Power-Poles.

3) Automate the keying change-over on the K2 from SSB to CW. Currently 
one must unplug the PTT line on the microphone connector for the key 
line in back to function correctly. (They are actually paralleled, and 
it is a known limitation of the K2.) I am not sure if this a change I 
need to make to the keying/PTT cable and Writelog parameters or if this 
is something that can be modified in the K2.

4) Use a shorter single piece of feedline for 222 with no adapters or 
extensions.

5) Jacks, jack stands and steps for the trailer to make it more stable 
and safer.

6) Run the stacked pair of antennas with modified feeds and the driven 
element connections all cleaned up.

7) Use a lighter 12VDC power supply.

8) Remember to bring the 12VDC power cord for the 222 FM radio and set 
it up with either a Teletec amp or an interlocked/failsafed changeover 
switch to put the FM radio into the Lunar-Link. Iff the Lunar-Link is 
used for FM, then an antenna switch for vertical or horizontal 
antenna(s) is also appropriate.

9) Build a rotating telescoping mast onto the front of my trailer for 
the 222 station with racks on top for antennas and a platform to stand 
on for antenna work.

10) Build or buy at least a small shelving unit like what was used on 
the 432 station to cleanup the operating position. The real solution is 
to make a vertical rolling rack unit similar in concept to Bob's 
microwave coffin. The rack would have wheels on the bottom and one side 
for easy movement and fold out table leaves that allow it to become a 
self contained single band operating position.

11) Build a more conventional HV supply for my Lunar-Link so that I am 
no longer using the HF amp for its power supply.

12) Modify the DEMI transverter with an additional transmit module to 
allow for 40-50 watts of drive into the Lunar-Link to give 1500w out.

13) Remember to bring the software installation CD's including the time 
synchronizer, grid/direction calculator, VHF+ stations database, W4NH 
signs for the operating positions, extra grid maps, previous results and 
Fourlanders Writelog setup checklist.

14) Get packet cluster access nailed and working reliably from the 
mountain. If that includes internet access, so much the better.

15) Make some skeds ahead of time, advertise our operation, try WSJT 
and/or other AFSK modes.

16) Make a QSO off the moon!

Ok, I'll admit, this is an ambitious list. I really want to make most of 
it happen. I am fired up and ready to go.

Is everyone with me?!?! What do your lists look like?!?!?! Think about 
it, the September contest has already started!

C'est la guerre!
Brian
NX9O