[SECC] NQ4I Plans

Sat Jul 2 16:33:43 EDT 2016

Using the long weekend to catch up on emails.  

Rick,

I am one of the fortunate ones that had a chance to operate at the NQ4I Multi-Multi station over the last 15+ years (yes, it’s been that long).  What great times we have had, taking the station into many Top 5 finishes and a good number of #1’s.  There have been many amazing things that have happened during those contest, to many to list, and many great ops that have racked up big band totals.  We have had some major antenna improvements, and I can still remember talking about exchanging all the antennas on the 20 and 15 meter stacks.  What a crazy idea that was, but it worked out pretty well.  And then there was digging that 40M Mult tower base in the middle of summer.  That Georgia clay is hard!  And then all the really interesting RFI problems when running six Run stations and 5 Mult stations, all with antennas that can point in different directions.  We finally got all the variables identified and RFI under control.

Thanks to everyone who contributed, both work days and operating, and look forward to some Single and Multi-2 contesting in the future.

Jeff, W4DD

From: SECC [mailto:secc-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of Rick Dougherty NQ4I
Sent: Tuesday, June 21, 2016 8:15 AM
To: SECC
Subject: [SECC] NQ4I Plans

Hi All...not sure if you know it or not, but the NQ4I team will no longer compete as Multi-Multi...just 

too hard to get operators committed, to hard to compete against the NE US and their decided advantage to EU on the low bands...it is getting harder for me to keep the antennas functional, upkeep is difficult and I ain't getting any younger....and more.

The team has entered a few contests as Multi Two and Multi Single and has notched up a few wins in those categories...also Jim VE7ZO was attempting to qualify for WRTC...he managed to do well, but the advantages of being in Virginia vs Georgia are hard to compete against...so the station has been downsized...from 14 operating positions to seven...one of which is an internet remote site.

All the Henry Amps have been sold...7 Orions were sold...leaving 7 Orions and one K3 in the station...

I expect that my schedule permitting, we will do M2 or MS when able, and there will be some SO2R single op entries along the way too....this is the result of operating Multi Multi since 1983...a long and productive strectch...many plaques are on the wall to show our successes...I thank each and every SECC member who has put time in behind the mic or key at NQ4I....

On another front, I have purchased an aircraft..its a 1963 Beechcraft Debonair...fully IFR, it has 

an IO470K 225 HP engine, autopilot,GPS system and 4 seats...does 190 miles per hour and Georganne and I are enjoying taking short trips in it! This will be my bridge to retirement..I intend to work another 4 to 6 years at my current employer...but having the plane will allow me to continue in aviation after retirement...I have reached 51 years in aviation this summer...I was recently recognized by the FAA with the award of the Wilbur and Orville Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award.

Georganne and I have been busy this summer so far with trips in the plane and a cruise with 4 of the grandchildren...I recently had knee surgery and am not able to climb towers yet...maybe by the end of the summer, I will be able to get back up on the towers...in the mean time Jim VE7ZO will be doing a few so2R contest to keep the NQ4I callsign on the air...I am actively working with the local EMC to find and repair noisy power poles in the immediate area...Jeff W4DD has redesigned the lousy MFJ ultrasonic unit and with the new electronics it will allow me to show the EMC where the problems are...I was amazed how bad the problem had become...I anticipate it will take most of the rest of the summer to locate and fix them all....

Haven't made a hamfest in a couple years, and just missed one in Atlanta....

73 from NQ4I

de Rick

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