[Fourlanders] September Contest Report

[Jim Worsham]

With regards to the computer issues, one possibibility that has been
discussed is RFI and grounding.  We have talked in the past about using
shielded CAT5 but finding that stuff is not easy and I am not sure how you
would ground the shield anyway.  Another idea that I think is better is to
wrap the ends of all the CAT5 cables 4 or 5 times through some toroids.  I
have discussed this with Ron and he says #43 material would be perfect since
it is effective from 30 to 450 MHz which covers all our high power bands.  I
am sure we we can find some toroids at Dayton or just order some.  They
should only be a few $.  Another thing I would suggest is that we put
together a "test bed" before we contest again next year.  We can set the
server and all the computers up in the trailer and try to break the system.
We could even run some high power RF at 6 and or 2 meters.  That would alow
us to do some testing and trouble shooting before we get on the mountain.

73
Jim W4kxy

-----Original Message-----
From: fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com
[mailto:fourlanders-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Bob Lear
Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2005 11:27 PM
To: fourlanders at contesting.com; Jeff Grote
Subject: [Fourlanders] September Contest Report

FourLanders September 2005 VHF QSO Party Report

The Crew:  Neal K4EA, Brian  NX9O, Jim  W4KXY, Paul  W4SKI, Jim WE8W, Ron
WW8RR, Bob K4SZ, Jeff W0ONR, Kim WG8S, Ivan K4VJM, Bob WA4VJC and Robert
W4RFC.

It was nice to have some new folks join us.  It was the first time for Jeff
W0ONR from Dahlonega, but many of the group knew him already from Field Day
with the NGARC group.  Also new with us were Bob Crone and his son Robert
from Cumming.  Robert is a new ham, all of 11 years old I think and Bob
reports that he did have a good time.  They operated the Six meter station
for a while and really enjoyed it.  We hope all of them will join the group
and come to operate again next year.

The FourLanders again went to Mile-High Campground for the September
2005 VHF QSO Party.  We did have a group of 12, but went limited -multi
because we only had four towers available.   We also cut back on the
amps because of the generator situation and it worked out real well. 
Brian tried out a new stacked pair of K1FO's on 222 this time and was very
happy with the results.  In fact, the 222 and 432 numbers are records for
Mile High.  The great opening Sunday evening really helped. 
Six meters never really opened up for any good periods.  Two meters is down
probably because of the antenna problems.  The single 2M5WL we used was
taken down twice during the contest and we lost four or five hours of
operating time all together messing with it.  Still not sure what the
problem was, but may have been connector related.  Anyway, after we cleaned
and swapped ends the second time (and reduced the amp output
power) we didn't have any more problems on 2m and took good advantage of the
Sunday evening opening.  

Here is the point summary from Brian as submitted to ARRL.

       VALID   PTS PER    QSO      GRID SQUARE
          QSOs      QSO    POINTS    MULTIPLIERS
50 MHz     285       1      285         90
144 MHz    171       1      171         41
222 MHz     70       2      140         35
432 MHz    108       2      216         40
TOTAL      634              812        206    167272

We did have some computer problems again with WriteLog.  We need to start a
discussion about the problems and what we can do to solve
them.   I'd like Brian NX9O to take the lead on the computer issues for
the group and be moderator of the discussion.  Any ideas that anyone has
about the problems, let's get them out on the reflector so we can all
consider the problem and possible solutions.
 
The campsites at MileHigh cost us $30 each for the participants for the
weekend.  The food came to $25 each for those there the entire time
(pro-rated by the meal for those only there part time) and we spent $8
each for the generator fuel.   Brian's 9kW generator did the job for the
entire contest and only used 30 gallons of gas.  The only problem was us
checking often enough as I think it ran dry a couple of times.

The food was fantastic.  Jeff W0ONR outdid himself in my opinion.  We had
smoked Pork BBQ with slaw and potato salad for Friday nights dinner, London
Broil with baked potatoes and apple sauce on Saturday night and a
spiral-sliced ham with scalloped potato casserole on Sunday night.  Ham or
Turkey sandwiches with several choices of bread and cheese for lunch each
day, and excellent breakfasts each morning of scrambled eggs with cheese and
peppers, sausage, biscuits and such.  Jeff reports that he really enjoyed
himself on his first trip up to the mountain with us.  We sure hope he'll be
a regular with us.

Thanks to all who participated in the June contest and to all our
friends who supported us in many ways.   Those who didn't make it missed
another good contest.

73 Bob K4SZ
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