[SECC] IARU RS

[John Laney]

Hello guys:

Just a reminder that this weekend is the IARU RS annual contest, CW and
SSB.  24 hours, 12 UTC Sat to 12 UTC Sun.  Exchange is RST/RS plus ITU
zone (08 for us).  Multipliers are ITU zones and HQ stations (such as
W1AW/3) on each BAND (not each mode and band).  

Some will be doing low power M/S operations with only a tribander and a
wire in the WRTC style.  N0AX has a page listing all the pre-registered
teams.  This is just for fun and the actual IARU RS rules are being
used.  Of course, anyone who participates in it is pretty sure losing
the actual contest, since there is no low power category in IARU RS. 
So, those who do it, while actually participating in the contest, are
doing it for the fun of it, for the experience, and to keep the WRTC
spirit alive.

KU8E and I will be doing one of the WRTC-like operations from my house
using the club call K4AAA (thanks W4AN).   This will be the first
multi/anything operation from my house in anything other than the Ga QSO
Party and the first multiop of any kind from my house I think since we
moved here in 1979.  That is, in part, because of my need for a "control
op" so I usually do single ops in the General class bands in spite of
whatever handicap that may be.  The other thing is that my shack is so
cluttered there is never room even for an observer.  However, as
prompted by Jeff, I have made some room for a second rig.  May SO2R
could be next?

In order to have only one wire to use on all bands in accordance with
the WRTC rules, Jeff and I put up an 88 ft. flat top last week.  He used
a sling shot to get the ends up about 40 feet in the pine trees.  But, I
had no 450 ohm feedline, so I ordered some from HRO while I was en route
to Santa Fe last Saturday, and, weather permitting, we will attach the
feedline tonight.  It should load through the MFJ tuner on 80 through 10
M and I am hoping the big old (circa 1981) tuner will load it on 160 too
for at least a few QSOs.

We will, of course, appreciate any QSOs, so please call when you hear
K4AAA this weekend.  We will be subject to a 10 minute rule per band and
mode, so we may not be able to QSY to other bands too often or too
quickly.  Also, we have not perfected a system of changing antennas for
the two rigs yet, so that may be the old fashioned way.  But, we do
think we will have two laptops set up in a network.  However, we don't
have enough com ports to key the rigs, have computer control of the
radios, and network the laptops at the same time.  I expect computer
control of the radios will be the one left out. We will use the NA
logging program which will give us a 10-minute countdown clock for
band/mode changes.

There are a few other contests this weekend.  The FISTS have their
annual summer Sprint on Saturday afternoon, I think.  4 hours and
frequencies like 7058, 14058, etc.  Exchange is call, name, state, and
FISTS membership number, or failing the latter, power output.

Also, there is a homebrew QRP contest on Sunday afternoon sponsored by
QRPARCI.  You don't have to use homebrew gear, but you get extra points
for doing so.  20 through 24 UTC Sunday afternoon, July 13.  Exchange
RST, S/P/C, QRPARCI number (or power output for non-members).  Suggested
frequencies:
1810, 3560, 7040, 14060, 21060, 28060.  Why not get out your QRP rig or
turn your power output down to 5 watts and join in the fun?  Or just
answer the QRP stations you hear and give them some points?

Hope everyone has a nice weekend with no lightning strikes nearby.

73,


John, K4BAI.